Iryna Kanishcheva is a renowned public art curator and producer who has achieved fame through her fabulous mural pieces. Her wall-spanning imagery represents Gainesville at its visual peak – alternately vibrant and somber, Iryna’s mesmerizing murals can inspire thoughtful moments, laughter, or even a twinge of sadness. Here is what the talented artist and entrepreneur has to say about trends in street art and her experience in Gainesville.
How did you get into mural painting, and how has it become your preferred method of artistic expression?
It began in Gainesville, Florida where I conceived and curated my first mural project, 352walls. I have always been passionate about street art—to express myself freely and be rebellious. When I moved here from Ukraine in 2013, I didn’t see many murals in Gainesville. It was weird to me that in a city with one of the biggest universities in the United States, and so many young people, this relevant contemporary art form had not yet developed.
I saw an opportunity. I went downtown and identified good walls, asked for written permissions, sought sponsors, convinced artists and presented a proposal to Visit Gainesville and the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department. The project was a huge success. It was the first urban art initiative in North Central Florida. We had a very good lineup of artists—many of them are really hard to book today!
Street art has evolved quite a lot since its inception as graffiti. What in society do you think has changed to allow this transformation?
Street art has become generally accepted because of two factors. First, social media made it possible to share cool images. Second, Tony Goldman and Wynwood Walls promoted the commercial use of murals. Wynwood was an industrial warehouse district in Miami until Goldman Properties scooped up large chunks of inexpensive real estate and invited famous muralists to paint on it. In recent years, the growing international popularity of murals is often utilized by luxury brands and enterprises when marketing to millennials.
If you could name one thing, what makes street art fundamentally different from more traditional art forms like painting on a canvas?
The difference is in visual and physical accessibility to the public. People do not need to pay or even enter a gallery to see public art. Many fine artists transitioned into murals, or painted them to promote their studio work. Furthermore, the growing popularity of street art has encouraged galleries and museums to exhibit graffiti-themed artworks.
Do you find that there is a consistent theme running through your work?
I am committed to raising awareness about political, social or environmental issues through public art. I was involved in the organization of artwork in Chernobyl, Ukraine, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the worst nuclear disaster. This project included artwork in the Ukrainian war zone to criticize the political conflict or celebrate African-American heritage. I believe art is a perfect mediator between artists and the audience to inspire action for a positive change.
Monochronicle has recently produced a mural in solidarity with Ukraine. The project is supported by the famous artist Shepard Fairey, and it is being executed by local teams of artists like Visionary Fam. This mural is located in one of the busiest parts of downtown Gainesville, by The Wooly. The mural was our gift to the Gainesville community with the hope of getting people’s attention and serving as a reminder that the war is still going on.