Oxana Akopov

Where do you live: Los Angeles, USA.
Describe your art in three words: Conceptual, multimedia art.
Your discipline: Visual art, installations, photography.
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How has your experience as an immigrant influenced the themes and messages in your artwork?

My experience as an immigrant has had a big impact on my art. Moving to a new country meant adjusting to a completely different environment while discovering new possibilities. Like many immigrants, I felt a sense of lost identity, as if starting over in a place where everything was unfamiliar. This journey made me think a lot about identity, a sense of belonging, and how we find our place in a new culture. My art reflects that journey – finding a new version of myself while holding onto my roots. I use symbols that show this mix of old and new and the feeling of being “in between.” It’s about trying to find your place in a new world, with all the challenges and surprises that come along with it. Creating art in this way lets me study contemporary American society, its values, and the cultural roots I want to grow here.

Could you elaborate on the concept of “Little America” that you explore through your art?

“Little America” is my way of sharing how I see this country through my own eyes. It’s a blend of my experiences, impressions, and the cultural symbols that have shaped my journey here. It’s not about capturing America literally, but rather, how it feels to me as someone building a new life here. Through my art, I explore this mix of traditions, new norms, and personal reflections that create my own “little” version of America – a blend of my past and the present. It’s about the dreams, challenges, and small, everyday moments that make up my experience here. Moving to a new culture has given me a fresh perspective and the role of an observer, and this is what “Little America” reflects: the balance of new and familiar coming together.

Oxana Akopov | Natural Exchange | 2024

Your installations combine elements of photography and painting. How do you decide which medium will best convey a particular message?

When I start a new piece, I focus on the idea I want to communicate and how I want people to connect with it. The choice of medium – whether it’s photography, painting, or installation – depends on what will best bring that idea to life. Photography is great for capturing a specific detail or mood, while painting creates a more emotional or abstract feel. Installations let me build a space where viewers can really step into the concept. Moving here has inspired me to revisit different media and start using a multimedia approach, allowing each piece to speak its own visual language. I see each medium as a different way of telling a story, and I pick the one that feels right for what I want to say.

What role does symbolism play in your work, and how do you want viewers to interpret these symbols?

Symbolism plays a big role in my artistic practice, because it lets me express ideas in a way that’s relatable and open to interpretation. I choose symbols that are simple and familiar, like an egg, a nest, or a dollar bill, but that hold deeper meanings. I don’t aim to give viewers a specific interpretation; instead, I want them to connect with the symbols in their own way. My hope is that these symbols spark curiosity and encourage people to think about their own experiences. I see them as starting points for a deeper conversation between the artwork and the viewer. Each symbol, like each piece of my work, reflects part of my own story but leaves room for the viewer to bring in their own perspective.

Oxana Akopov | Just Another Day at the Office | 2023

How has your background in journalism and communication shaped the way you approach creating art?

My background in journalism and communication taught me how to connect ideas with people. Now, instead of using words, I use visual metaphors to make those connections. I see my art as a way to bridge ideas and emotions, creating a dialogue with the viewer. Just like in storytelling, I try to find the clearest and most engaging way to share what I want to express. Communication is a process that connects people on different levels, and my art follows that same path – it’s about creating context and letting each viewer find their own meaning and interpretation.

Many of your works feature cultural innuendos. How do you decide which cultural elements to incorporate into your pieces?

When I choose cultural elements for my work, I focus on things that feel meaningful to me and express the stories I want to tell. I look for symbols or references that people might recognize but that also have a deeper layer to them. It’s important that these elements fit with themes I’m exploring, like identity, adaptation, or finding a place to belong. Then I reduce them to a certain visual code. I want viewers to feel a connection to it, to see something familiar, but also to be curious about what else it might mean. These cultural symbols help me study and understand American society on a deeper level, blending my personal experiences with a wider cultural perspective.

Oxana Akopov | Freedom Lottery | 2023

How do you see the balance between freedom and self-identification reflected in your art?

In my art, the balance between freedom and self-identification feels like a journey of figuring out who I am. Freedom gives me the space to experiment, try new things, and break away from old ideas. But at the same time, it’s important for me to understand my true self – what matters to me, where I come from, and how I fit into the world around me. My work shows this balance: the urge to explore and push boundaries, while also staying connected to my personal story. It’s about finding who I am through all the changes and being open to both the new and the familiar. For me, it’s not about choosing one over the other but letting them exist together, so my art reflects that balance. The whole process mirrors my own journey as an immigrant, blending tradition with new opportunities.

Oxana Akopov | California Dream | 2024