Until today, sand art meant little more to me than impressive beach sculptures. The intricate and engaging sand animation work of “Ukraine’s Got Talent” winner Kseniya Simonova takes the concept of sand art to an emotive new level.

As she swirls her fingers through the sand before her, Kseniya Simonova’s sprinkles and sweeps tell solemn stories of Germany conquering Ukraine in the second world war. The images morph from calm to conflict and back again, all in sync with the background music.

Move over Susan Boyle, Kseniya Simonova’s breathtakingly exquisite, tear-jerking sand animation has fast become a YouTube phenomenon.