Alexandra Lyashenko
Even though I’ve learned and spoken three languages, art is the language I am most fluent in. It’s the one that’s always made sense to me. When words fall short or get lost in translation, I sketch, paint, or build to say what I feel. My art reflects who I am—someone shaped by two cultures, constantly navigating between them, and finding beauty in that space in-between.
A lot of my work is connected to my heritage. I incorporate details from traditional patterns, home-cooked meals, and the kinds of buildings I grew up seeing in my family’s home country. It’s my way of preserving memories and honoring where I come from, while also making something new. My pieces tell stories of growing up as a first-generation American, learning to carry pride and responsibility, and figuring out where I fit.
Over time, my interest in design and structure led me to architecture. I started making models that combined my love for art and my curiosity about how things are built. I’m especially drawn to sustainable and community-focused spaces—buildings that feel alive and serve a purpose beyond just existing. Therfoam-core, cardboard, and whatever else I can handle, I handle ideas representing bigger goals: connection, culture, and environmental care.
Whether drawing, painting, or building, I always come back to the same thing—telling stories through space and form. I want people to feel something when they see my work. Maybe it’s comfort, curiosity, or recognition. Perhaps it’s the same pride and longing I think about my roots.
Art has given me a voice I didn’t always know how to use. And through it, I’m learning how to shape not just what I create, but who I am.