Photo by Elena Kovtun
I am a Russian-American artist, working primarily in photo, music, and film.
My work is anchored in social documentary and personal narrative. I explore themes of our connections to each other and to our environments, whether built or natural. I work with images, text, and sound, both separately and in combination to create even more compelling narratives, whether that be through photo books, experimental films, or other multimedia avenues. I aim to weave stories that offer alternative perspectives and center on shared aspects of our common humanity.
I honed my craft spending the majority of my life in the Twin Cities of Minnesota (unceded lands of the Dakota and Anishinaabe peoples), producing written and visual stories for news outlets, independent magazines, and art, cultural, and educational organizations as well as exhibiting my work. I relocated to the Asheville area of North Carolina (unceded Cherokee land) in 2019, where I have been cultivating relationships with the human and more-than-human worlds.
In addition to visual art, I also have practices in music and energy work. Music for my solo project Ritka can be found on Bandcamp, Soundcloud, and streaming platforms. I recently completed the yearlong Foundations of Energetic Ecology program with traditional Japanese Reiki practitioner + educator Marika Clymer. I am currently open for donation/trade-based energy work sessions. I am in a continuous process of weaving together my art + healing practices.
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Select Collaborations
Publications
The Collective Quarterly
MAIDENS MAGAZINE
MinnPost
Moon Magazine
The Riveter Magazine
thirty two magazine
Water~Stone Review
Institutions, Nonprofits, Schools
CIEE
Face Forward
Kinship Photography Collective
Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Minnesota Historical Society
University of St. Thomas
Walker Art Center
Works Progress
Group Exhibitions
Fall Show, The Business Park Gallery, Woodfin, NC (2022)
Pieces of Light, Durham Arts Council, Durham, NC (2021)
Boundaries, Belonging, Becoming, Revolve Gallery, Asheville, NC (2021)
Swannatopia, Glowspace Arts, Swannanoa, NC (2020)
Forest for the Trees, Old Gym, School of the Alternative, Black Mountain, NC (2019)
Minneapolis College of Art and Design NASAD Reaccreditation Site Visit Exhibition, Minneapolis, MN (2018)
The Female Gaze in Photojournalism, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN (2018)
Art-Inspired Music and Music-Inspired Art Project: 3rd Edition, McNally Smith College of Music, St. Paul, MN (2017)
Stone Arch Festival, A-Mill Artist Lofts Gallery, Minneapolis, MN (2017)
First Juried Art Show, Norseman Distillery, Minneapolis, MN (2017)
Art-A-Whirl (Solo), A-Mill Artist Lofts, Minneapolis, MN (2017)
Creative Combustion, Gamut Gallery, Minneapolis, MN (2016)
Double Shift, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis, MN (2016)
Poetry Translation Project, University of St. Catherine, St. Paul, MN (2014)
Art Club Annual Exhibition, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN (2011–2014)
honors + awards
Winner of #sequenceassignment by this ain’t art school / Museum Ludwig (2018)
Chosen as Instagram Suggested User (2015)
Julie Friedline Award for top Communication & Journalism graduating senior (2014)
Best Photo Slideshow from the Associated Collegiate Press for “A day in the life at St. Thomas” (2012)
Best College Sports Multimedia Feature from Visual MN for “Paralympian uses AARC pool to train, aspires to win gold” audio slideshow (2011)