Biography

Yelena Myshko is a multidisciplinary artist based in Zutphen, the Netherlands. She was born in Kyiv, Ukraine in 1985. Myshko holds a BA from Utrecht School of the Arts, MA from ArtEZ University of Arts and MSSc from Linköping University. Her background is in fashion design and gender studies, in addition performance art plays an integral part in her practice since Myshko was introduced to it in 2005.

Her interest in politics led to an affiliation with the international protest group FEMEN for two years. Myshko participated in bootcamps and actions in Germany, France and the Netherlands, eventually becoming the leader of FEMEN Netherlands. This experience influenced her artistic tone of voice and visual language.

Myshko exhibited in the Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Austria, Portugal, Montenegro, Russia, South Korea, Colombia, Argentina, Canada and USA. She was nominated for the BLOOOM Award 2018 (DE), Walter Koschatzky Art-Award 2019 (AT) and won 2nd place at Kunstschouw Award 2019 (NL). Her work is published in the news, magazines and books.

Artist Statement

As an ambiguous agent of change, I propose an alternative perspective on topical societal issues by projecting them on my body. I perform in front of the camera to create intimate images that reach the audience through reproduction, turning to social media, newspapers, magazines, and TV to document my story. In this way, I explore identity production of this day and age.

Speaking my truth no matter the consequences, clashes with the world. I try capturing this moment and grab attention to provoke associative thinking. As a result, my work is often unsettling; it pinches and makes you look twice.

I employ mundane aspects of ordinary life as a weapon to destroy conventional beauty and propose a counterfeit. Whether I abandon make-up, pick everyday objects, blunt body language or choose costume, body paint, and elegant movement, the challenge always is to use simple means in resourceful ways.