Daria Pugachova is an artist, performer and art-activist based in Kyiv, Ukraine. She studied architecture at Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture. From 2013–2019 she played drums in the female trio Panivalkova. After musicians split up Daria dived into a field of contemporary art.
In her projects, Daria uses participatory practices to unite a community and integrate art into daily life. She works with performance, video and artivism. Her artistic approach lies in the presence of the artist and direct interaction with the audience in public space. Her work explores history of place to awaken memories with the community, and to visualize its possible future. “By performing in public places, I connect with all kinds of people” says Daria, “Some of them may never attend exhibitions. So art should step out of galleries and become a part of everyday life, thereby changing it”.
Daria received the Golden Aesop Grand Prix at Gabrovo Biennial of Contemporary Art for the work ’Stones’ and the project Dasha+Zhanar. In 2022, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Daria left Kyiv and to continue her artistic practice in Europe.
