Svetlana Orinko is a Christchurch-based artist, originally from Ukraine, trained in the traditions of classical realism.

Her practice is grounded in the discipline and methods of the Old Masters, with a strong emphasis on observation, material understanding, and the emotional language of light. "Where Light Lingers" captures a fleeting moment in a hydrangea garden at dusk, where colour deepens and light dissolves into shadow. Through layered brushwork and carefully balanced values, the work seeks to create a sense of visual poetry—an atmosphere that invites stillness, intimacy, and reflection.

The interplay of cool blues, violets, and soft pinks evokes both abundance and fragility, while the dense composition draws the viewer into a contemplative space. Rather than simply describing the subject, the painting reflects an internal experience of time slowing and beauty existing in transition. This work, like all of Svetlana’s practice, is created entirely by hand using traditional painting methods.