Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia And Max Voloshyn.
Julia and Max, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In 2016, we founded Voloshyn Gallery in the heart of Kyiv, Ukraine. Housed in a historic building from 1913, our space offers an unconventional setting for contemporary art. From the beginning, we have sought to present a broad range of works across diverse media, representing both emerging and established artists. Over the years, we have organized solo and group exhibitions, collaborated with accomplished curators and museums, and participated in leading contemporary art fairs.
In 2022, we faced the difficult decision to close temporarily due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The following year, in 2023, we reopened our doors in Kyiv and expanded internationally with a new space in Miami, Florida.
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?
One of the most significant challenges we faced came in 2022, when we had to temporarily close the gallery due to the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. It was an incredibly difficult decision, both emotionally and professionally, as our work and community are deeply rooted in Kyiv. At the time, we were in Miami, terribly worried about our friends and family in Ukraine.
That moment was full of uncertainty as our home was being brutally attacked, we were stranded on the other side of the world, no ideas on what to do. However, we immediately knew that we had to utilise our platform and our voice to help Ukraine and spread awareness about the ongoing war. Just a few weeks before the invasion began, we opened a pop-up show in Miami titled “The Memory on her Face”. It was an attempt to highlight the Ukrainian artists’ take on historical events and processes, interactions between the past and the present, as well as their ideas of the future. Little did we know that it would become unintentionally timely.
This entire experience pushed us to adapt, and in 2023 we not only reopened our gallery in Kyiv but also took a major step of expanding internationally with a new space in Miami, Florida.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Voloshyn Gallery?
When we opened Voloshyn Gallery in 2016, our dream was simple yet ambitious: to create a space in Kyiv where contemporary art could thrive, and where Ukrainian artists could speak on equal footing with their international peers.
From the beginning, we focused on supporting both emerging and established artists across many media—painting, sculpture, installation, and multimedia. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of working with remarkable Ukrainian artists such as Nikita Kadan, Lesia Khomenko, Kateryna Lysovenko, Oleksiy Sai, and many others, while also working with international curators, museums, and institutions. What sets us apart, I think, is our commitment to amplifying Ukrainian art beyond national borders. We’ve taken part in fairs like Art Basel, Frieze, Liste, ARCO Madrid, and others, not just to show art but to make sure Ukrainian culture has a voice in global conversations.
We are most proud of what Voloshyn Gallery has achieved in terms of authenticity and growth. For example, we were the first Ukrainian gallery to participate in many major international art fairs, including Frieze and Art Basel, paving the way for our artists to gain global visibility and recognition. We don’t see ourselves as simply presenting art—we see our role as building bridges, preserving cultural identity, and ensuring that Ukrainian voices continue to be heard and celebrated across the world.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
One valuable lesson is that art truly has the power to endure and connect across borders. Even when our daily reality was marked by disruption and uncertainty, art allowed us to continue sharing the news about Ukraine and the personal stories of the artists we represent, many of whom continue to live and work in Ukraine. Opening a space in Miami showed us how art can transcend geography, politics, and conflict, creating a dialogue between communities that might otherwise feel worlds apart. We were struck by how keen and, at times, surprised people were to learn about the ongoing war in Ukraine—and that it has, in fact, been unfolding since 2014. There was definitely a heightened interest in Ukrainian art, with audiences eager to engage not only with the artistic language but also with the cultural and historical context it represents. After all, art is not only about exhibitions and sales—it is about building bridges, fostering empathy, and preserving cultural identity in the face of adversity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://voloshyngallery.art/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voloshyngallery/?hl=uk
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/voloshyngallery/
