Watch & Listen to this podcast Episode.
In this episode of the Arts to Hearts podcast, host Charuka Arora sits down with Liza Zhurkovskaya, a passionate curator, gallery owner, and advocate for collaboration in the arts. Together, they dive deep into Liza’s journey in the art world, exploring how she overcame early struggles as a woman in a male-dominated industry and eventually found her footing by starting her own gallery during the pandemic.
Liza shares her experiences of navigating challenges like economic instability and misconceptions about her intentions as a curator. She talks about the balance of loving the arts while grappling with its unpredictability and how these struggles have fueled her personal and professional growth.
Charuka and Liza also discuss practical tips for artists, including how to write a compelling artist statement, make meaningful connections with curators and collectors, and build an authentic personal brand. Liza emphasizes the importance of storytelling, individuality, and presenting art that is both unique and relevant.
The two reflect on the power of collaboration in the art world and the role of women as curators, gallery owners, and artists. Liza also offers insight into her curation process for ATH Magazine’s upcoming issue, “Women: Inside and Outside,” and celebrates the opportunity to highlight feminine energy in the arts.
This heartfelt conversation between Charuka and Liza is packed with valuable insights, actionable advice, and inspiring encouragement for anyone navigating the art world.
Liza is also our curator for the ATH Magazine issue 6. She has a few tips to share for those who want to be featured in our upcoming magazine, so listen to the entire podcast to know more about how you can get selected!
| Timestamp | Summary |
| 00:01.51 | Introduction to Lisa as a curator and art advisor |
| 02:31.56 | Lisa discusses her journey into the art world and her passion for connecting artists and clients |
| 03:34.10 | The impact of social media on the art world and the opportunities for emerging artists |
| 08:32.51 | Lisa’s struggles and obstacles in the art industry |
| 09:18.29 | The importance of continuous learning and skill development in the art industry |
| 12:12.23 | Discussion on the competitiveness and collaboration in the art world |
| 13:08.67 | Importance of collaboration and healthy competition in the art industry |
| 14:20.32 | Liza’s curation process and recommendations for artists applying to galleries |
| 16:07.89 | Exploring the theme of “women inside and outside” in art |
| 19:06.13 | Celebrating women and sharing wisdom through art |
| 20:37.93 | Advice on reflecting personal story in artist statements |
| 21:34.60 | Components of a strong artist statement |
| 22:31.29 | Importance of artists’ online presence and social media representation |
| 25:00.73 | Filling the gaps in understanding an artist’s work |
| 25:54.00 | Importance of showing the artist’s studio |
| 27:42.26 | Advice to stay inspired and pursue dreams |
| 28:30.99 | Where to find Liza and submission advice |
| 29:34.29 | Conclusion |
[TRANSCRIPT]
**** – (): 00:01.51
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Hey Lisa welcome to the podcast. Thank you so much for coming I am so excited today we have on the podcast curator on the go aka Lisa she’s been a curator art advisor.
**** – (): 00:05.11
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Thank you so much for having me.
**** – (): 00:20.10
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Um, artist advisor and has worked with gallerist for so many years I’ve seen you on Instagram and it’s been incredibly excited. Exciting to have you us here on the podcast today Lisa can you introduce yourself who you are for everyone who’s listening to us right now.
**** – (): 00:35.89
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Of course, Thank you for the opportunity and hi everyone listening. It’s an absolute pleasure to be here I wear a lot of hats and as you mentioned I work with artists as an art advisor I work with corporate and private clients for assisting them building their collections. I used to work in galleries and whatnot I have my own online gallery I have a podcast So Lots of exciting things that keep me excited and busy day to day.
**** – (): 00:57.56
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Yes.
**** – (): 01:04.22
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): I love that yes, wearing how does it feel. Um, you know as someone who juggles between different roles because I know and that is something that I relate to so much and I think also a lot of artists. Do. Because as artist. Also I think um, you are constantly playing so many different roles and you know it’s sometimes not easy, but it’s also I think it’s a very diversified skill set and that you gain over the years what you how is your experience with it.
**** – (): 01:37.81
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): I agree 100% and I think this um like dynamic in my work and things that I do it keeps me motivated but at the same time it reduced stress a little bit because if something is not active or something that does not work and I can move to another thing. Or we can call it like not keep all the ads in 1 buskit if something financially doesn’t work one month you can press and work a little bit more in than other thing and vice versa. So I think it keeps me motivated to grow aim bigger but also seeing the results in the old ans I think it’s.
**** – (): 01:59.11
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Yeah.
**** – (): 02:16.85
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Also satisfying and.
**** – (): 02:19.31
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Amazing. These are what brought you into the journey and in these in the work of curation and being around the galleries. Um, what how did you venture into this part of the world.
**** – (): 02:31.56
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Yeah, for me, it wasn’t a direct road or route. Um I was born in Russia and I moved to Canada when I was 17 and back home. We didn’t have that many galleries and for me like when I came to the first museum and troned it was like an aha moment. Wow.
**** – (): 02:34.34
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Okay, yes.
**** – (): 02:46.98
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Okay, that useful. Yeah.
**** – (): 02:49.35
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): What is that? Yes, um, and then I had my first gallery job and from there I just like felt that I can be a great person to being between the clients and the artists and their needs for that people. Will be assistant artists on one side who might be shy or just want to be in the studio painting and the clients whom I’d want to learn more but also need like an educational aspect to that and.
**** – (): 03:16.66
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): What has your been. Um, your experience working with the emerging artists from today’s time versus the galleries. What you think has this over the years how have these roles changed specifically I think with social media. Um, and you know how dynamic the whole art world has become and I’m sure it’s only getting more interesting.
**** – (): 03:34.10
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Yeah I feel like we are living in such a crazy world that every year there’s something new happening with the technology like social media change the art industry in so many ways. I Think being an immersion artist. It’s not a disadvantage. It can be a big advantage to be honest with you because you’re just starting your Journey. You can be your own creator curator. Whatever you want to call it and find the routes that you want to take. And decide whether you want to be more with galleries or you want to sell on your own because possibilities are endless those days. So.
**** – (): 04:12.54
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): This wonderful and what do you think has um, tell me something how has your own experience of you know, being on so many different sites I Think what’s interesting is when we play too many roles you gain. Ah, lot of different perspectives. You also understand what artists are Experiencing. You also understand the other side of the world and then you also have your own skill set that you know that you’re breditching the gap. How has what do you feel that you are exactly placing yourself in the art world right now.
**** – (): 04:45.58
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Yeah, it’s a really great question. It’s kind of like I’m so think that i’ instill in the middle even though um like I’m more in the gallery side right Now. And I think that experience also helps me to um, assist artists especially during the consultations that I have or just chats in general because for a lot of artists like gallery world is such a mystery like what’s happened behind the doors like how the.
**** – (): 05:08.45
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Yeah.
**** – (): 05:14.21
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Even the commission structure for a lot of artists like oh my god Fifty fifty percent how is that possible and what are the game ah like of the rules to the game per se so I do think that. Um, if I can position myself. It’s more going to be on like the industry side I don’t paint myself.
**** – (): 05:31.54
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Did you I would think yourself as an artist. Never.
**** – (): 05:33.40
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Even though I feel like be no I don’t produce art I used to when it was little so it was way way way like long time ago, maybe one day soon. But um I think like my skill set is very applicable to like the business side and being behind the artists and.
**** – (): 05:50.10
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Yeah, Rome Amazing. What do you think has um what is ah I I don’t I will not say this before I own. Do you from you? What is the role and.
**** – (): 05:53.22
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Given their talent shop like shining their talents. Yeah.
**** – (): 06:07.19
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Um, I How do I say this women in art specifically at this time and age that we are in the art World. You know we know that it’s been a very complicated not only in the art world but on the over overall aspect. But um, specifically the time now and how is the art world changing. Specifically for women.
**** – (): 06:28.87
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): I Think we’re on the good route or proper route and I think more and more female artists are being recognized internationally um I think we’re still long way before it changes for better. And it all honestly depends on the curators. There are so many new like gallery owners female gallery owners or female curators or on the forefront. Um, and their galleries when you go and see like the artist’s list most of the artists they represent are also female artists and there are so many amazing talents those days. And honestly it doesn’t matter whether you’re male or female or whoever you are. It’s more about the talent and the view on the world you have and how you share it with everyone else and.
**** – (): 07:18.41
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): I Know Absolutely absolutely. But um, in a time where we are all just on a general level. How women um, have not been equally placed like you said in the art world and beyond. But I Also think that it’s it. It is an exciting time because. A lot of more women are taking space. Um, it’s become more and more um, exciting because um, a lot of us are no longer afraid um to break the mold and to take chances on us to you know lead the way to take more space. I Feel like that really could change a lot of things for a lot of us.
**** – (): 07:55.47
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Yeah I agree and like me being a curator or like a gallery owner like it is a male dominated industry whether you’re an artist or an professional. It’s still the case. But as you mentioned we’re we’re all fighting for good and our voice is equally important. So.
**** – (): 08:04.99
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Um, yeah, um, yes yeah.
**** – (): 08:14.34
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Absolute tell me how was your journey Did you have only let’s let’s hear from you really when your side of struggles and inhibitions. What do you think all these years has been your um, biggest struggle barrier. Something that you feel has been extremely difficult and.
**** – (): 08:32.51
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): I Feel like similar to Artists. We all have like a love and hate relationship with art saved for me like I Love being an art industry in general but sometimes we are going through either like economic. Times where people like oh we don’t have enough income to invest in art and there is always something that it’s not Stable. So I think that can like I can count it as one of the obstacles that I constantly have to deal with but at the same time.. It’s also like self growth.
**** – (): 08:52.79
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Yeah.
**** – (): 09:04.91
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): And.
**** – (): 09:06.47
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Because in the industry and with the technology and everything you always have to develop your skills whether it’s marketing social media speaking whatever it is I’m constantly like reading and learning.
**** – (): 09:09.72
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Yeah.
**** – (): 09:18.29
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Ah, yeah I think today’s time has become a I think we’re in such a time that it it’s a struggle like you know the good side is that you keep yourself updated. There’s so much that changes so fast and soon that you know things can get obsolete pretty soon. But there’s also I think the other there’s also this constant fear of being missed out being left behind because you know it’s not like like our parents generation or a different time where you know they do 1 job I still remember you know? um. I don’t know you tell me if you also had something similar when I um I knew I always always created but I also grew up in a business family. You know, um I always had that entrepreneur spirit because I just grew around it and you know when your normalization when you know something. So. See something so clearly ah closely you know it’s pretty something that you know that you might want to do but ah for a very long time I felt that I had to choose this or that and that innately if I am creative I couldn’t be good at business or if I wanted to be a successful artist. I really had to wear one hat you know one role I had to play 1 role but that as a person never can never um, you know felt right to me because like you said I I can’t I I like to move between projects because that’s how my brain works if i.
**** – (): 10:45.66
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): If I get stuck at 1 place I quickly move to another and come back to the other so that I come with a fresh perspective and like I love you know, having crosspoliation of ideas of what I’m doing but for a very long time I feel I felt like the black she because you know. The idea of having a career is to have 1 statement career 1 profession one passion. Everything was one and singular and I didn’t have that and I tried so hard and I kept on failing on it. So what? what has you? your experience been? um. When you um, say this that you know where you were many.
**** – (): 11:24.47
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Yeah, when I entered the art world I had like it was a similar experience in a way that like I was looking for art, gallery jobs and a lot of gallery owners saw me as a competitor right away and I was like really. Like I’m a curator I’m here like to help you and createate shows and learn and celebrate artists and like for me was like the galleries were the barrier in my case that was like rioe and then the pandemic started I started my own gallery and from there like it all just. Um, like moved on and I’m happy with everything that I’m doing right now but also getting validation and now like I’m like honestly like what I do doesn’t validate me as a good person and we’re all the lay. Both.
**** – (): 12:12.23
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): No new. Yeah I think also I think in the art world sometimes again yes labels and also sometimes it gets instant intimidating um because you know competitive I think the work you know I think as more and more women like communities are being built. Um. Become very hostile in the sense of like it’s become safe. It’s become warm. It’s more collaboration than competition in today’s time but but innately it was very pitching against each other because there were only so many collectors and we had this you know idea of scarcity. But I think now.
**** – (): 12:36.32
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Yes.
**** – (): 12:49.30
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): If we’re seeing things I think a lot of perspectives are also evolving from there.
**** – (): 12:54.61
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Yeah I agree 100% and honestly competition um, is like older thing right now. So it’s all about cooperation and it’s like healthy competition is important.
**** – (): 13:01.98
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): And. Yeah, absolutely.
**** – (): 13:08.67
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): But as I usually say like there is a collector for every single artist. It’s just up to you to promote yourself and put your work in front of the collector’s eyes but selling shouldn’t be a big problem. You just be like outside of your studio and.
**** – (): 13:11.67
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Yeah.
**** – (): 13:18.44
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Um, yeah.
**** – (): 13:24.30
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Collaborating doing shows together or reaching out to like magazines together like sometimes that will be more beneficial than just like being on your own and.
**** – (): 13:31.28
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): I Love that we are very excited to have you as a curator for a magazine issue 6 I Want to talk a little bit about your cured curation process how you curate because also that like I said demystifies a lot of times. You know people apply to things people look at you know they reach out to galleries and they don’t hear back and I understand because we receive hundreds of hundreds of applications and we’re not able to respond to each pack of each one of them. So You know, let’s make this ah as an effort to a before. If someone’s applying to things reaching out to galleries. What are your recommendations. How how does somebody know, um, a curator’s perspective what they’re looking at if they’re a right fit all of those.
**** – (): 14:20.32
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Yes, that’s a really great question but honestly it depends on the institution or the application or like where the artists are applying but let’s say for for this magazine.
**** – (): 14:33.52
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Yes, yeah.
**** – (): 14:35.64
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Um, and I’ve juried a lot of like online shows lately in magazines and I’m doing a physical show during like later this year here local in Toronto um I really take my sweet time. It’s not like I see something and say yes or no um I will go through everything.
**** – (): 14:47.17
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): With it.
**** – (): 14:55.24
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Like I will have my tea and I will go through everything and then I will give it a day because I want to come back with a set of fresh eyes and I never like put my personal taste as the determinant factor because what I personally like may not something like what you like and vice versa. So It’s more about usually it’s like a bit of a story. What artists are saying with the work is really important how does relevance to them to the world around us in general. Um, Also the skills is that something new and different. Ah, because we always want to see artists evolve and of course we’re like working with amazing historical giants painting and creating before us. But we also want to create something that is personal and new that is a bit different. Um and then. It might take me another day or so to go through all of the submissions. But yes, definitely uniqueness, ah uniqueness like aesthetically and through the voice and the theme. The artists are um, exploring um and also sometimes it’s like something that excites or intrigues me something I Want to come back and.
**** – (): 16:07.89
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): I I love that I think that’s that’s a fair point. No I think curation is such a personal process and it’s such a creative process in its own that you have to like and it’s a lot of to like you know when as artists we make work. You know there’s a lot of close up.
**** – (): 16:07.93
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Look it again.
**** – (): 16:26.33
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): And Outward movement I think with curation. Also it’s like you know you keep reapproaching reloking can share a little bit of your own thoughts. You know the theme for the magazine is women inside and outside. Um, what does that speak to you and.
**** – (): 16:27.98
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): And.
**** – (): 16:38.10
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Yes, such a beautiful thing.
**** – (): 16:44.14
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): How do you interpret it for yourself.
**** – (): 16:44.92
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Yeah for me like as I mentioned I grew up in Russia and for us international women’s day. For example, it was such a big day where we will have like flowers and like.
**** – (): 16:55.81
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Um, really Wow I didn’t know that.
**** – (): 16:59.72
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): My dad and my brother will be like cooking and cleaning so it was like a very special day when everyone was celebrating women when I moved to Canada. It’s not a thing like it is a day but it’s it’s very different.
**** – (): 17:10.71
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Ah, why.
**** – (): 17:13.83
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Ah, so I do believe that we need to celebrate women not only me on the international women’s day but like every day but in relation to this theme like talking about femininity. There is so much I feel like male energy in us these days because we are hassling we’re trying to like 6
**** – (): 17:19.66
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Um, one. Yes.
**** – (): 17:26.66
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Yeah, yes.
**** – (): 17:32.50
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Seed and sell and do so many things and wear so many hats that our feminine energy is somewhere deep down and we don’t have that many opportunities to show it only maybe with your like friends family close once and I think with your art artists have.
**** – (): 17:36.38
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Yeah I.
**** – (): 17:49.75
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): And a really amazing opportunity to show that side and.
**** – (): 17:53.36
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): No, and that’s true. Not I think it’s exciting because you know I feel how womenhood for me personally over the years has changed so much I think every experience like I think it’s such a um experience in itself. And how we all look at each other and how we look within ourselves and how with the lens of a woman I think every role that we play a lot of times people ask me and I um, ask this for myself that why I don’t paint men or even the Artstros project or anything that I do has everything to do with women. And that’s I think because a lot of my own experiences and experiences that I grew up with seeing my mom and people close to me and I think being it’s it’s one of the most intimate experience that we have like you know I don’t know what it feels like to be a man and it. Like you know inside and outside like feeling a woman’s world I think there’s like this whole new world within us and and metaphorically and you know literally like you do put out completely a new being into the world from your own inside. But also when we think I think how just.
**** – (): 18:51.98
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): And yes.
**** – (): 19:06.13
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): The way we wire and how women are very um, you know the creative women specific I think it’s exciting so exciting to see how how expressive we can be in that format tell me something what you sorry, go ahead. Sorry sorry.
**** – (): 19:15.74
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Yes, I Totally agree. Yeah no words I just wanted to mention like for me, it’s also about sharing your wisdom and experience whether you’re like maybe in your fifty s and you were talking a bit more about the life and. All of the experiences and life Lessons. You learned to an earlier career artists and younger artists and vice versa being young Artists. You can like inspire someone in their 50 s and sixty s to be better still like create and vice versa.
**** – (): 19:44.72
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Absent you? Yeah yeah, tell me something this has come on the podcast a couple of times now specifically people you know I want to touch on this and elaborate a bit on this. You know we consistently are saying when people apply artists. Apply share their work. A lot of people looking at the work including myself is the story. Um, it’s It’s the packaging Altogether. It’s also how I think a lot of time artists don’t present their some selves better. Um, the presentation of their work. The quality they’re submitting ah writing it enough but can you break us down On. Let’s say from a curators from a gallery’s perspective. Um, what does a story Mean. Let’s say I am an artist.
**** – (): 20:37.93
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): It.
**** – (): 20:39.82
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): And I want to learn how to reflect my story better right? What is your advice for that.
**** – (): 20:45.10
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Yes, and I think your artist statement is a great place for you to share your story for Me. It’s usually 3 main components that I would say like every artist statement should have so it will start with you. So you’re the creator your personal story like how you came about creating what you do? What is the influences in your life etc then you move to the World. So The bigger sphere. So what you in this moment of time creating and thinking about. Reflects on the world that we all live together so make it universal and then you move to the collector and think about what you are sharing what’s happening in the world will bring into someone’s life kind of like a full circle and.
**** – (): 21:34.60
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Oh okay, wonderful. So that starts with let’s say I’m charroka. Um I come from India so a lot of that. Um, and why I do let’s say what I do the art that I’m making.
**** – (): 21:40.23
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): And Boom exactly.
**** – (): 21:48.80
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Then it’s the second point that you said was.
**** – (): 21:49.33
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Was this themes that you’re exploring how they relate to the world we live in and.
**** – (): 21:54.69
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Yeah, yeah, so let’s say a lot of my work is centered around women who would how the culture the heritage how that theme and it’s not only the theme why that theme speaks to me so much and why is that so personal and what I expect. And someone’s looking at my work to take it away to to take away from that right? Perfect. Let’s say I have got my statement together Now What are the other elements also like more human elements in the sense of um, you know, statement by but let’s say if you meet an artist or.
**** – (): 22:15.77
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Yes, correct. Yes.
**** – (): 22:31.29
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): The way artists show up on social media. How because I think when you’re applying to things. There’s so many limited things that you can do let’s say you can submit like like us. Let’s say we ask for utter statement though I think we’ve changed a lot of our process because I’m not very keen on um, always asking for statements. So a lot of times what we do is.
**** – (): 22:45.28
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): I have it.
**** – (): 22:51.18
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Ah, even when you we publishlish artist. We take an artist statement and we attach that now that we’re you know, um on ah on their portfolios on women in arts. But what we try to do is when we publish something in the pages we want them to give away their Tod First like we said and we asked them questions like okay. Um, if this is an artwork how this theme stemmed into something. Um, how do you?? you know, find inspiration like just different questions to give away more about the artist. So I’m trying and when we review work we look at statements but we also go and visit their profiles. Um. Read their interviews look at the Portfolios everything that we can find and sometimes I think the curation process also looks like when you look at the work it really speaks to you and then I want to know more but sometimes when I look at the work. It may not speak to me. But when I go through that process of looking the portfolio. Then the story stitches for me together. So How do you think we can fill these gaps of making sure that you know well other people approaching your work. What are the things that we can take care of.
**** – (): 23:57.30
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Yes I think it’s a really valid point and when you started talking about I was thinking about like branding and always like I tell to artists like you should have like a 2 3 sentence spill.
**** – (): 24:05.64
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Yes.
**** – (): 24:13.20
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Wherever you meet people whether it’s an art fair like you buy coffee and there is a stranger and you want to share what you do, you should have like a little bit of a blurb that you want to say like 3 sentences what you are and what your story is about and that can be like an anecdote It can be a personal story through life. Anything that happened to you that led you to creating what you’re doing right now but something memorable and also that can relate to the style like if I for example, say your work to like my friend and just describe it visually or based on the story. The person will recognize it and.
**** – (): 24:48.87
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Wonderful. What do you think artists are missing out right now. What? What are they not focusing on something that you should focus on more specifically of course women, emerging women artists.
**** – (): 25:00.73
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): I feel like a lot of artists are focusing too much on Instagram or trying to polish it up a little bit because we still have this notion that gallery Sunday look are galleries looking for artists who have like portfolio style Instagram i.
**** – (): 25:09.38
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Ro.
**** – (): 25:18.82
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Honestly, the opposite I Want to see your face I want to buy from person I don’t want to see like just the works there and I do think like some artists are doing a great job with just like putting them out like out there sharing their story be more in video.
**** – (): 25:22.36
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Yeah, right? you.
**** – (): 25:36.70
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): If you are more a quieter person that’s okay too. You can always like record yourself talking. There are so many different ways but don’t try to put any rules onto yourself. There are no rules in this industry, you just need to find the right partners. That’s it.
**** – (): 25:36.88
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Yes.
**** – (): 25:54.00
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): I I Love that you know recently currently, we’re reviewing our studio visit book submissions and it’s so exciting to see how these submissions are made us feel. Um, when we review magazine and you know other submissions. A lot of times the focus is not in the studio and images of the studio. But while we’re reviewing our studio visit book and those submissions I was so excited because I literally when I saw those images I literally felt like I was in the Studio. It did not.
**** – (): 26:23.40
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): You had it.
**** – (): 26:26.56
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): I Think it also made me more fall in love with the context like you said the story. Um I could see the scale I could see how an artist looks like when in there they’re in the studio if they’re messy if they’re organized and that I think gavea away So very genuinely. But this they’re part of the story. Very little details and I could see them and I could see Okay, if this this is the kind of work they’re making I can I can imagine. Okay wow you know how the world setting looks like how spill things are or whatever but it’s like you said it’s It’s like you known, you’re not looking at art only you’re looking at. Art and the artist.
**** – (): 27:06.87
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Yes, like we’re again going back to the world word branding. So like it’s so many things that make an artist best day. So as you mentioned this story. All the shows all the fame. Um, all of like.
**** – (): 27:13.55
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Yeah.
**** – (): 27:21.86
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): I don’t know like donations that they do and interviews they take and whatnot but also the Jane human being should be there.
**** – (): 27:26.20
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Um, yeah, ah wonderful I love that okay Lisa this has been wonderful. Do you have any last piece of advice for everyone who’s listening to this episode right now.
**** – (): 27:42.26
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Yeah, so I would yeah I would say that just stay inspired and keep pursuing your dreams because being an artist is a privilege and whether you do it part time. Um, and soon hopefully you’ll be able to do it full time.
**** – (): 27:42.32
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): How they can make something.
**** – (): 27:51.36
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): What.
**** – (): 28:00.27
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Um, just keep being passionate about what you do and times change economy change. Everything will just get better. Ah, but your talent is something that no one can take away and.
**** – (): 28:13.62
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): This is wonderful. Thank you so much Lisa thank you so much for joining us. Um, can you give us a final recall on where people can find you? Um, also if they want to submit to a h magazine issue 6 that you’re curating with us. Um, any suggestion any piece of advice.
**** – (): 28:30.99
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Yes, so for everyone listening you can find me my nickname as you mentioned curator on the go so on Instagram curator on the go. My website is ww www curator on the go dot com my online gallery is kefffiartgaller.com
**** – (): 28:31.22
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Before we go for.
**** – (): 28:48.29
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Spell SKEFIArtgaoryDotCom and I’m pretty active on Instagram so that’s the best way to find me in terms of submissions just again, never hesitate your talent submit because he like ah you will be surprised. You never know.
**** – (): 28:53.33
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): I now.
**** – (): 29:06.45
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Um, and make sure the images are good quality because that’s the common mistake that I get and I’m like the work is beautiful but I just can’t see the details is blurry um and make sure that your story is personal and sparks my curiosity or any.
**** – (): 29:12.71
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Um, yeah, um.
**** – (): 29:24.59
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Like any curator’s curiosity in general.
**** – (): 29:24.72
**** – (): charukaarora
**** – (): Love that. Thank you so much for your time I know it’s been a messy start of my day and I really appreciate you waiting on me. Thank you so much and I hope to see you soon again.
**** – (): 29:34.29
**** – (): Liza
**** – (): Of course, Yes, thank you. It’s been a pleasure. Thank you.
About the Guest(s):
Liza is an art advisor, curator, and the founder of Curator on the Go. Originally from Russia, Liza moved to Canada at the age of 17. With a passion for art, she has worked in galleries, assisted artists, and built her own online gallery. Liza’s expertise lies in assisting corporate and private clients in building their art collections. She also hosts a podcast and curates exhibitions.
Episode Summary:
In this episode, host Charuka Arora interviews Lisa, also known as Curator on the Go, an art advisor and curator. Liza shares her journey in the art world, from her first gallery job to starting her own online gallery. She discusses the changing landscape of the art industry, particularly for emerging artists, and the impact of social media. Liza emphasizes the importance of collaboration and cooperation among artists and curators. The conversation also delves into the role of women in the art world and the need for more recognition and representation.
Key Takeaways:
The art world is constantly evolving, and artists have more opportunities than ever before, thanks to social media and online platforms.
Collaboration and cooperation are essential in the art industry, and artists should focus on building relationships and supporting each other.
Women are making significant strides in the art world, with more female artists, gallery owners, and curators gaining recognition.
Artists should focus on telling their personal stories through their work and artist statements, as it helps create a connection with viewers and collectors.
The presentation of an artist’s work, both online and in-person, should reflect their unique style and personality.
Notable Quotes:
“If I can position myself, it’s more going to be on the industry side. I don’t paint myself, but my skill set is very applicable to the business side and being behind the artists.” – Liza
“Competition is an older thing right now. It’s all about cooperation and healthy competition is important.” – Liza
“There is a collector for every single artist. It’s just up to you to promote yourself and put your work in front of the collector’s eyes.” – Liza
“Being an artist is a privilege, and whether you do it part-time or full-time, just stay inspired and keep pursuing your dreams.” – Liza
Charuka Arora is the founder of the Arts to Hearts Project and Host of the Arts to Hearts Podcast. She is also an acclaimed Indian artist known for her contemporary embellished paintings. Her unique blend of gouache, collage, embroidery, painting, and drawing explores the intersection of art, culture, heritage, and womanhood. Through her work, she tells stories of female strength and encapsulates them in pieces that can be treasured for generations.
Charuka’s work draws inspiration from Hindu mythology, recognizing women as vessels of Shakti, the cosmic energy. She beautifully portrays powerful goddesses like Durga Maa riding a tiger or lion, symbolizing their unlimited power to protect virtue and combat evil.
Through her art, Charuka invites us into the world of women, showcasing their beauty, strength, and resilience. Her creations not only exhibit exceptional talent but also serve as an inspiration and a symbol of hope for those challenging societal norms.
Arts to Hearts Podcast is a show delving into the lives and passions of renowned artists. From running creative businesses and studio art practices to cultivating a successful mindset, Charuka Arora engages in heartfelt conversations with her guests. Experience your personal happy hour with your favorite artists, right in your studio.
Through candid discussions, Charuka and her guests reveal the joys and challenges of a vibrant creative life, both within and beyond our studios. Get ready to be inspired and uplifted as you tune in.
Liza Zhurkovskaya
Liza Zhurkovskaya, aka Curator on the Go, is a Toronto-based Art Curator & Art Advisor. For more than nine years, Liza worked directly with corporate and private clients to acquire original art and has brought hundreds of artworks to the public eye. In 2020, she founded Kefi Art Gallery to support her artists and better assist her clients with acquiring original art and curating their collections.
Liza is known as a community leader and her goal is to celebrate diversity, creativity, and the power of visual storytelling through thought-provoking and divergent exhibitions and art activations. Liza also produces Curator on the Go Podcast to celebrate creativity in all its forms and delve into the diverse and inspiring practices of guest speakers, including artists, curators, and individuals with unique perspectives on art. Check the podcast section to learn more and listen to the latest episodes.
Finding Her Place in the Art World: Liza’s Journey
Liza Zhurkovskaya describes herself as someone who sits in the middle of the art world, leaning slightly toward the gallery and industry side. Her years of experience have shaped her ability to support artists through consultations, making her a strong asset in the business of art.
Starting Out: The Challenges Liza Faced
Like many others in the art world, Liza faced her fair share of struggles when starting out. As a woman working in the arts, she’s seen progress over the years but acknowledges that the industry still has a long way to go in addressing gender inequality. However, it’s heartening to see more women becoming gallery owners and curators, creating better representation for women in the field.
One of the biggest challenges she encountered was the economic instability of the art world. People don’t always have the means to invest in art, and this unpredictability has been an ongoing obstacle. But Liza sees it as a chance for personal growth. To stay ahead, she’s had to continuously sharpen her skills—whether it’s mastering marketing, improving her public speaking, or learning to navigate social media.
In the early days, another hurdle was being seen as a competitor by other galleries. Liza’s goal was never to compete but to collaborate, create shows, and celebrate artists. While she understands the need for healthy competition, this mindset can sometimes discourage newcomers. Despite these challenges, Liza started her own gallery during the pandemic in 2020 and is happy with how things have progressed since then.
How Liza Curates: What She Looks For
Curating isn’t something Liza rushes through. She believes in giving the process the time it deserves and putting her personal preferences aside to focus on what matters most: uniqueness and relevance.
If you’re an artist hoping to catch Liza’s eye, make sure your work has a personal touch and brings something new to the table. She’s drawn to pieces that feel exciting and intriguing, the kind she would want to return to again and again.
Excitement for ATH Magazine’s Issue 6
Liza is thrilled to be curating for the upcoming ATH Magazine Issue 6, themed “Women: Inside and Outside.” The issue celebrates women and their femininity, something Liza feels is especially important right now.
She believes this theme provides female artists with an opportunity to showcase the softer, more feminine energy that often gets overlooked in today’s hustle-driven world.
If you’re submitting work for this issue, Liza has one big tip: make sure your image quality is top-notch. A beautiful piece of art can be overlooked if the image is blurry or doesn’t show the details well, so don’t let poor presentation hold you back!
Tips for Artists to Stand Out
Liza has some valuable advice for artists looking to grab the attention of curators, collectors, and galleries:
Show your personality. While a polished Instagram feed is nice, Liza values authenticity over perfection. Let your followers see the real you—whether that’s recording a quick video or sharing something that feels natural to you.
Craft a strong artist statement. Start with your personal story—why do you create, and what led you to this path? Then, connect your art to the world around you. What inspires your work? What do you hope it adds to the world?
Work on your branding. A short, three-sentence blurb can make a big difference. Use it to quickly share who you are, your story, and what makes your work unique.
There are no rules in this industry.
Liza Zhurkovskaya– Arts to Hearts podcast s04e45
Liza’s Final Words of Wisdom
“There are no rules in this industry,” Liza says, encouraging artists to stay inspired and keep chasing their dreams. Whether you’re a full-time artist or creating part-time, the important thing is that you’re following your heart.
“Being an artist is a privilege,” she adds, reminding artists that even in tough times, things will get better. Passion and persistence are key. Keep creating, keep learning, and know that the art world needs your voice.
Your talent is something that no one can take away.
Liza Zhurkovskaya– Arts to Hearts podcast s04e45
Liza has an Instagram page as well as a website by the name ‘curator on the go’. She encourages artists to reach out to her and to submit their work if they want to, as artists can often underestimate their talent! You can also check out Liza’s online gallery on both Instagram and website.
To read up more about Arts to Hearts Podcast and its episodes, click here.
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