by Katya Grokhovsky
I am finding that I am only able to focus on certain aspects of my practice, by going back to my basics, such as drawing, collage, digital painting and writing, in the absence of a studio or access to most of my installation materials. I am also focusing on reshaping my curatorial project, The Immigrant Artist Biennial, through online programming, such as virtual studio visits, roundtable discussions and more, as most of our physical exhibitions and events have been postponed until further notice. My coping mechanism is to reflect, think, pause and give myself a much needed real break mentally, as I am used to over working and running around, without stopping, and now that I am still, I am finding solace in connecting to others in the arts community through technology. I am reading, cooking, watching movies, talking to my parents almost daily, and re-imagining my future in a new world. It’s time for real compassion, humanity and passion. I am trying to find my center within my mounting anxiety, sadness and stress, through re-evaluating my whole practice and trying to understand how best to manage to continue what I came to U.S to do: make and present art.
Katya Grokhovsky was born in Ukraine, raised in Australia and is based in NYC. She is an artist, independent curator, educator and a Founding Artistic Director of The Immigrant Artist Biennial (TIAB) and Feminist Urgent (FU). Grokhovsky holds an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, a BFA from Victorian College of the Arts and a BA (Honors) in Fashion from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. Grokhovsky has received support through numerous residencies and fellowships including Kickstarter Creator in Residence, Pratt Fine Arts Department Artist in Residence, Wythe Hotel Residency, Art and Law Fellowship, The Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) Studios Program, BRICworkspace Residency, Ox-BOW School of Art Residency, Wassaic Artist Residency, Atlantic Center for the Arts Associate Artist in Residence, Studios at MASS MoCA, VOX Populi Curatorial Fellowship, NARS Residency, Santa Fe Art Institute Residency, Watermill Center Residency and more. She has been awarded the Brooklyn Arts Council Grant, NYFA Fiscal Sponsorship, ArtSlant 2017 Prize, Asylum Arts Grant, Chashama space to create grant, Australia Council for the Arts ArtStart Grant, NYFA Mentoring Program for Immigrant Artists, Freedman Traveling Scholarship for Emerging Artists and others. She has curated numerous exhibitions and events, including: Art in Odd Places 2018: “BODY”, “Soft Power” at Lesley Heller Gallery, “She’s a Maniac” at Kunstraum Gallery, “Call of the Wild” at Vox Populi and more. Her work has been exhibited extensively.
Follow her IG: https://www.instagram.com/katyagrokhovsky/
featured photo: Katya Grokhovsky, 2018 The Immigrant Ball, photo: Walter Wlodarczyk
