Semykina graduated from Grekov Odesa Art School in 1943 and the Kiev State Art Institute in 1953. She became a member of the Union of Artists of Ukraine in 1958. In 1964, one year after she joined the Club of Creative Youth in Kyiv, she was commissioned by the Kyiv University to paint an image. She created a stained-glass panel depicting an angry Taras Shevchenko holding a battered woman and a book. The battered woman in Semykina's work symbolized Ukraine.[4] The painting's inscription says "I shall glorify these small dumb slaves, I shall put the word on guard beside them."[5] This painting was later destroyed by the Communist government.[6][7] Due to her public petitions and political activities she was expelled from the Union of Artists of the Ukrainian SSR in 1968.[8] From 1968 to 1988 Semykina designed traditional Ukrainian outfits. Some of which came to be used in films such as Zakhar Berkut.[9] In the year 1988 she rejoined the Union of Artists.[10][11][12] Semykina believed that the Krushschev Thaw, which was a period of de-stalinization in the Soviet Union, was about a central message of "You are a person, respect yourself."[6][13]
Pochayna Metro Station, mosaic above the stairs to the platform, south exit
Group Portrait of the Old Bolshevik Arsenals (1954).
In the port of Odesa.
Winter Evening
Twilight "After the round" (1954).
Windy Day (1957).
Repair of the berth (1960).
Mornings (1961).
The Legend of Kyiv (1966).
Pochayna Metro Station, stained glass window above the stairs to the platform, north exitStained glass window "Taras Shevchenko at the University of Kiev" (co-authored, destroyed in May 1964).
Sketches of costumes for the film "Zahar Berkut" (1970-1971).
^In the "Chronicle of Current Events" erroneously – Lyudmila Semikina
^Decree of the President of Ukraine of 28 May 2009 No. 374/2009 "On the awarding of state awards of Ukraine to employees of enterprises, institutions, organizations of the city of Kiev"
