Katya Grokhovsky Inspires Creativity, Community, And Cultural Exploration
Photo: Katya Grokhovsky bridging cultures and disciplines, pictured amidst her visionary artwork “Between Earth and Sky” (2023).
Transformative Art Meets Passionate Mentorship
Ukrainian-born artist Katya Grokhovsky explores identity, migration, and community through visionary projects, inspiring students and empowering inclusivity in art and education.
Katya Grokhovsky’s creative work is reshaping the art world. A Ukrainian-born artist now thriving in New York City, Grokhovsky masterfully blends art, education, identity, and cultural exploration into a cohesive practice that resonates deeply in both the academic and creative spheres. As the Founder and Director of The Immigrant Artist Biennial (TIAB), Grokhovsky is more than an artist—she is an innovator, a mentor, and a community builder working to redefine the possibilities of artistic expression.
Her bold, multidisciplinary projects have touched everything from identity and migration to belonging and survival. Speaking to WOWwART magazine, Grokhovsky illuminated how her extensive artist residencies—combined with her role as an educator—have shaped her philosophy and approach to collaboration. “My motto is to learn by doing,” she explained. The influence of her residencies on her practice is profound. By immersing herself in diverse environments, she pushes her work to higher conceptual levels while weaving in new cultural perspectives.
Currently serving as the 2024/2025 Padnos Distinguished Artist in Residence at Grand Valley State University (GVSU), Grokhovsky views the residency as an opportunity to inspire growth not only in her students but also in her own artistic trajectory. She emphasizes that residencies, for her, are catalysts for exploration. Through access to GVSU’s unique facilities and historical context, she plans to deepen her research into Michigan-oriented themes like immigration and cultural specificity. “I usually work on multi-year projects that grow throughout my residencies,” she said.
“Being an immigrant artist has been a huge asset, making me incredibly adaptable and able to set up my practice anywhere.” –Katya Grokhovsky
Grohkovsky’s impact as an educator is especially noteworthy. She strives to create a nurturing environment where experimentation and vulnerability are encouraged. Speaking about her role at GVSU, she identified herself as a bridge between the professional art world and academia, sharing insights into the challenges and triumphs of sustaining a creative career. She added, “I see my role as one of addressing issues, offering solutions, and providing motivation, inspiration, and energy.”
Her immigrant experience adds another richly layered dimension to her work. Grokhovsky credits the challenges of adapting to new languages and cultures with intensifying her ability to thrive in unfamiliar artistic environments. “Being an immigrant artist has been a huge asset, making me incredibly adaptable and able to set up my practice anywhere,” she noted. This adaptability allows her to embrace the challenges of residencies, including their isolating moments, and transform them into fertile ground for creativity.
Balancing her extensive artistic projects with her teaching duties is no easy feat, but Grokhovsky approaches this dynamic with an integrated mindset. She intentionally merges her creative process with her academic responsibilities when possible, inviting students into her practice while embedding herself in the academic setting. “I learn in leaps and bounds by being embedded in art departments,” she said. While she fiercely protects her studio time, she also values the generative exchange that comes from bridging these two often-intertwined worlds.
Community engagement and collaboration are deeply tied to Grokhovsky’s work, and her residency at GVSU is no different. By fostering spaces where risk-taking and exploration thrive, she has created opportunities for students to engage in transformative projects. “I have learned that profound artistic breakthroughs often arise from unexpected intersections of ideas, dialogue, and disciplines,” she said. Her inclusive approach encourages students to explore new ideas and embrace failure as a stepping stone to innovation.
Katya Grokhovsky’s career exemplifies the interconnection of art, education, and cultural discourse. From her groundbreaking work as an artist to her meaningful mentorship, she consistently challenges conventional boundaries while inspiring the next generation of creators. Her commitment to interdisciplinary practices and her passion for fostering community ensure that her impact will extend far beyond the gallery walls, shaping the landscape of art education and cultural dialogue for years to come.
This article is adapted from an interview with Katya Grokhovsky published in WOWwART magazine.
