As Ukraine was set on fire by the Russian invasion, many talented Ukrainian creatives were urged to move to Europe and the USA in search of a more peaceful environment for further work. One of them is Oleksandra Korolenko, a muralist using an airbrushing technique in her work. A painter with a street art vibe at the heart of her approach, Korolenko pays lots of attention to detail and creates fascinating, visually striking images for a variety of public and commercial spaces. Here is a closer glimpse into the artist’s creative style and current activities in New York.
The Creative Journey
Oleksandra Korolenko is a Ukrainian artist whose love for art developed since her early childhood years. A natural-born gem, she successfully completed her degree in Fine Arts and also studied Landscape Design at university. Starting her professional career in painting, Oleksandra focused on airbrushing, combining classical and contemporary techniques in her work.
At present, the number of large-scale projects in Oleksandra Korolenko’s portfolio has exceeded 500. These include various murals with expressive, highly detailed images she has created for hotels, restaurants, offices, and private residences. A combination of precise technical execution and the concepts she integrates into each artwork has brought the young artist recognition and helped her find her creative path.
Relocation to the USA
After moving to the United States, Oleksandra quickly established a strong presence in the New York artistic community. Although the move was unplanned and related to the tragic circumstances of the war in her homeland, the artist made a conscious effort to transform this life-changing experience into a new, inspirational beginning. After relocation, she attended many local exhibitions and started experimenting beyond her traditional techniques, being inspired by NYC’s unique aesthetics and cultural vibe. This new experience marked a new stage in Oleksandra’s creative growth and helped unlock her full potential.
To date, Oleksandra Korolenko has completed dozens of projects in NYC, including murals for the Georgian restaurant Laliko, Building Brilliance Daycare, and Pro Auto Customz. She has established a fruitful partnership with the MPI team, working together on projects for Soccer Adidas Post, Hotel St. Regis, and the New York Aquarium. Another audacious project with her participation is the cartoon-style interior design for the house used for the filming of Marvel’s X-Men, created in collaboration with CoJo Studio and Bednark.
Oleksandra Korolenko continues her creative journey in New York, and, hopefully, we will see more incredible works created by this young and talented Ukrainian artist soon.