Zoia Skoropadenko is a Ukrainian contemporary mixed-media artist, based in Monaco, known for her paintings, sculptures and sketching, and for being wrongfully suspected as a spy... She counts Michelangelo, Magritte, Corot, Matisse and Petrov Vodkin as some of her artistic influences and is inspired by the Nouveau réalisme movement. She was one of the pioneers of the 'Flash Exhibition' and is a UNESCO recognized artist. She is the creator and owner of micro-gallery La Vitrine in Palais de La Scala in Monaco – an alternative contemporary art space for emerging artistic talent. In 2011, the Monaco government granted Zoia the official status of an Artist-Painter of Monaco. Zoia splits her time mainly between Monaco, Japan, the US, Belgium and France, where she exhibits frequently. Her widely exhibited TORSO series is considered her most controversial work as noted in publications such as the Brussels Times and France Info. Early life Born and raised in Kryvyi Rih in Ukraine, Zoia showed an aptitude for art from a very young age and was tutored by Ukrainian national artist Grigory Sinitsa from five years old. Originally taking a conventional route, which belied her later artistic direction, Zoia studied at the National Art School followed by the Institute of Fine Arts. However, at the age of 12 her studies came to a sudden end due to the fall of the Soviet Union, which made it impossible for anyone without money to pursue an art education. Skoropadenko continued her education at Lviv University as a student journalist where, as an early user of a PC and modem, and with a network of journalist friends, she roused suspicions that she was a spy and was kicked out. Career beginnings In her early twenties Zoia hitchhiked around Europe. After many years of being ‘down and out in Europe’ she ended up in Monaco where, as a speaker of eight languages, she found herself a job translating. It was here that she found herself immersed in the art scene and artistic life of the Cote D’Azur. During this period she met such prominent contemporary artists such as Arman, Ernst Fuchs, Emma de Sigaldi, Jean-Michel Folon and Robert Rauschenberg and became a member of the National Art Committee and ADAGP. During the economic crisis of 2008 times were tough and to make ends meet Zoia had to wait until the end of the day to buy the cheapest food from