Darya Lapushka (Belarus, 1993), named Dasha by everyone, has shown a talent for creative arts since childhood. After moving to Italy at the age of 12, she first attended the Scientific High School and then Gianfranco De Meo’s academy in Rome, son of Michele De Meo, a renowned Italian artist, where she quickly assimilated various painting techniques including oil painting.

In 2017, she exhibited for the first time at Palazzo Ferrajoli in Rome. In 2018, she moved to Malta, where she developed a new style by combining her two greatest passions: art and fashion, in a unique and innovative blend in the artistic field. As a big fan of shoes, with a vast collection of over 500 pairs from various designers, the idea of using footwear as tools for painting came to her while observing her shoe collection, many of which were unused or discarded.

She creates artworks using Valentino Garavani’s shoes, painting the face of Marilyn Monroe with Salvatore Ferragamo’s creations, the favorite designer of the famous Hollywood diva. In some abstract works, she incorporates shoes from the world’s top fashion designers as a unique artistic signature. Her first shoeinspired artworks were purchased by Paul Marciano, director of Guess and a prominent art collector. She also creates works for famous personalities and footballers like Miralem Pjanic.

After 3 years in Malta and 5 exhibitions held on the island, Dasha moved to Dubai where she became known for her distinctive style. She participates in the most important international exhibitions and fairs, and in 2023, she exhibited her works at Art Basel in Paris and Milan.

Dasha also enjoys creating artworks on important social themes, such as “Bottom of the Ocean,” against ocean pollution, and the painting “No War” against the war in Ukraine. Both works were exhibited at World Art Dubai, where Emirati Sheikh Mana Al Maktoum personally attended.