Today we’d like to introduce you to Olga Severina
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Olga Severina. I am a Ukrainian-born graphic designer currently residing in LA.
I graduated from the State Academy of Arts and Design, in Kharkiv, Ukraine with a Master in Graphic Design and Communications and a Ph.D. in Visual Arts. My school has rich artistic traditions rooted in the early 20th-century avant-garde movement and Ukrainian easel painting. During my studies, I became involved with The 4th Block project – an international poster exhibition, held every three years in Kharkiv, Ukraine. The exhibit takes its name from reactor number 4, which was destroyed in the Chornobyl nuclear disaster. Starting as a volunteer I soon became The 4th Block’s exhibition curator and a selection committee member. In Addition, from 2006-2012, I was lucky to work with The Golden Bee Graphic Design Biennale and Sergey Serov.
Over the years poster remained my passion, and after moving to LA I founded the PosterTerritory initiative that launches socially conscious poster campaigns and design exhibits in cities around the world. Some of PosterTerritory’s latest projects are Design for People, together with the LA Design Festival, Let the Nature in together with UCLA Extension and DTLA ArtNight, Seeding the City, and War Time Graphics as a part of Stand With Ukraine Poster Call.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It was a long road full of passion and wonder, but this path was always bitter-sweet. Over the years I was fortunate to see and appreciate some of the most amazing examples of contemporary poster designs and relished the development of new and exciting visual languages and artistic mediums, but at the same time, socially conscious or politically focused topics explored in many of the poster exhibitions I launched or participated in were often heartbreaking and bleak.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Since 2011 I worked on my PosterTerrritory initiative — a multimedia exhibition platform for organizing graphic design campaigns and poster shows in cities around the world that introduce the public to the newest techniques and methodologies of contemporary poster art. The driving force behind PosterTerrritory is my sincere belief that a truly compelling poster has the power to change the world. This is what I try to do when I launch environmentally-focused and socially conscious poster exhibits, where artists from all over the globe not only bring the public’s attention to various social and political issues but also advocate for changes that would help eliminate or at least lessen some of these issues that plague our world. These projects cover a wide range of topics from political and social issues like in the World According to Love poster exhibit to art shows on environmental sustainability, like the Biophilia poster competition that celebrated a concept of harmonious coexistence between nature and men.
However, 2022 changed everything as Russian forces started bombing peaceful Ukrainian cities and towns. When the war broke out we all had to rethink our entire world view. The age of graphical resistance was over. Now was the time for much more tangible actions. This is why I started Rukh Art Hub together with my partner Mariia Manuilenko. Rukh Art Hub is a Ukrainian creative initiative based in New York, committed to empowering artists and creatives through exhibitions, events, and career development services.
Since its foundation in 2023, RUKH Art Hub has launched 12 fundraising exhibitions and art auctions of contemporary Ukrainian art in support of Ukraine. Our events and exhibits propelled more than 50 talented Ukrainian artists onto the global stage and raised over $600,000 for those in need. Our work provides crucial support to Ukrainian artists many of whom have become refugees and lost local patronage as a result of war.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Although PosterTerritory Initiative is currently run and managed by me, it would not be possible without the love, mentorship, and support of a great many people who guided and trained me, promoted my poster calls, participated in my poster competitions and exhibits, and gave their time and support throughout my career.
Among those who I simply have to specially mention is Oleg Veklenko – my esteemed university professor, and lifelong advisor, and friend who introduced me to the world of poster design and brought me into The 4th Block Poster Competition and Designer’s Association. I also would like to acknowledge Rebeca Méndez, Donna Jackson, Michael Braley, Christopher Scott, Angela Anthony and Helms Bakery District, and people from Studio 111, Long Beach. These people had an immeasurable impact on my life path and career – they helped me grow as a designer and a curator, they participated in my lectures as guest speakers when I taught classes at UCLA DMA, they gave me access to venues and publicized my shows and events, and they were always there to offer help or advice.
At Rukh Art Hub I’m also blessed with people who are just as invaluable in helping make this project a reality. First and foremost to our small team, our venue partner Mriya Gallery, and Razom for Ukraine – a leading U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting Ukraine.
In general, I want to thank everyone in our ever-growing group of volunteers, promoters, celebrities, and patrons who continue to donate their time, efforts, and love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.posterterritory.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/posterterritory/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PosterTerritory
- Other: https://olgaseverina.com/
