Artist-in-residence opens installation at downtown gallery

January 21, 2025 (Volume 48, Number 10)
Article by Samantha Drougel

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Katya Grokhovsky, artist-in-residence, has an installation at 106 Gallery in Grand Rapids through January 31.

Photo Credit: Veronica Anderson

Katya Grokhovsky, Grand Valley’s Padnos distinguished artist-in-residence, opened her installation, “My American Dream,” at a Grand Rapids gallery with a performance and will add additional pieces until the show concludes on January 31. 

The installation is at 106 Gallery, Avenue for the Arts, at 106 S. Division Ave. Grokhovsky said this project was based on her central theme of home, displacement and alienation.

“It is a combination of projects that I have previously worked on, projects that I have started here, and new iterations of my ongoing theme," Grokhovsky said.

The performance included screaming, rage and humor. Grokhovsky said that even though her work is extremely serious and often speaks to traumatic collective events, she always adds humor. The performance on January 16 will be shown in a video at the closing reception on January 31, from 5-8 p.m.

“The installation is based around a previously made sculpture that is a tiny mobile home on wheels, constructed to the measurements of my height and span of my arms,” said Grokhovsky.

The goal of her residency was to collaborate with local partners and complete a solo exhibition. This installation was a partnership with the Avenue for the Arts at a midway point in her residency at GVSU. Her next event will be a screening/lecture on March 20 at the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

Grokhovsky has traveled extensively. She immigrated to Australia from Ukraine when she was 15 years old. She received two degrees in fashion design and painting from two universities in Melbourne, Australia. After graduating, she moved to Chicago to earn a master of fine arts degree then settled in New York City, working in many capacities in the art world and academia.

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