Another Kingdom: Destiny – Poker Set, Taras Zheltishev, Yoomoota Art Universe

Rarity and Value
Another Kingdom: Destiny is a limited-edition collectible poker set produced in only 21 examples. Created within Taras Zheltishev’s Yoomoota Art Universe, it expands the Another Kingdom series into the world of card games and transforms the familiar poker table into a narrative object about strategy, ambition, chance and human character.
Its collectible value lies not only in the restricted edition but also in the completeness of the artistic concept. The cards, ceramic chips and sculptural storage case were conceived as parts of one integrated work rather than as conventional gaming accessories. The set therefore occupies a space between functional design, contemporary art and collectible sculpture.
Origin and Concept
The work reinterprets the four traditional card suits as neighboring symbolic kingdoms. Hearts represent emotion, passion and trust; clubs are associated with analytical thought and intellect; spades express determination and the pursuit of victory; while diamonds evoke negotiation, exchange and the psychological art of bluffing.
The Joker exists outside this structured order. Within the narrative of Another Kingdom: Destiny, it becomes a figure of unpredictability — an element capable of overturning established rules and redirecting the course of the game. This concept closely reflects poker itself, where calculation and experience are always accompanied by uncertainty.
The idea of destiny is also reflected in the chips. Their different denominations are presented as measures of value and, metaphorically, of time: resources are accumulated, risked and exchanged while the outcome remains impossible to know in advance.
Craftsmanship and Decoration
The set combines ceramic, wood, leather, metal and plastic, bringing together traditional craft techniques and contemporary collectible design. Its manufacture involves woodworking, leather upholstery, printing and casting, with individual components developed specifically for the project.
The visual language is immediately recognizable as part of Yoomoota. The playing cards feature dense, highly detailed original graphics on deep blue backgrounds, while the face cards and suit symbols are reinterpreted through the artist’s own imagery.
The ceramic poker chips are especially sculptural. Rather than conventional casino graphics, their surfaces contain miniature compositions populated by surreal organisms, anatomical forms and symbolic characters. Rich greens, purples, pinks and golds give the chips the appearance of small independent artworks.
The storage case is equally distinctive. Its pale body is crossed by flowing green bands and decorated with symbols representing the four kingdoms, creating an object that resembles a futuristic travelling case. Even when closed, the set retains a strong sculptural presence.
Human Touch
Another Kingdom: Destiny uses the rules of poker as a metaphor for human life. Every participant enters the game with incomplete information, attempts to interpret the intentions of others and decides when to wait, negotiate, take a risk or withdraw. Intelligence may influence the result, but chance always remains present.
Zheltishev turns this familiar tension into a miniature universe in which emotion, intellect, ambition and negotiation compete with one another. The Joker introduces the final uncontrollable element: fate.
The work therefore functions on two levels. It can be played as an elaborate poker set, yet it can equally be viewed as a conceptual installation about decision-making and uncertainty. Through its combination of storytelling, craftsmanship and functionality, Another Kingdom: Destiny transforms a traditional game into an artistic reflection on how people navigate rivalry, opportunity and the unpredictable nature of life.