AKIKORESKY

ABOUT

Akiko Koresky is a contemporary artist based in Toronto, working primarily in acrylic and oil paint, alongside charcoal. She is currently studying Visual and Digital Arts (VADA) at Humber Polytechnic. Their work will be featured in the VADA group exhibit Lingua Franca, opening April 11, 2026.

My work examines how identity is shaped by external systems, expectations, and cultural standards. I’m interested in the gap between how a person feels internally and how they are expected to exist externally. I don’t see identity as fixed, but as something that is constantly influenced and adjusted over time. Creating allows me to think beyond these limitations and begin to define my own sense of self within and beyond them.

Across my practice, I use both representational and abstract approaches. Some works are rooted in observation, while others focus more on abstraction and symbolism. I am drawn to this balance, as it reflects the tension between internal experience and external influence. Material choice is important to my process. Painting gives me room to explore emotion, colour, and layering, while drawing slows me down and encourages control and focus. These contrasting approaches support my experimentation and allow the work to develop naturally while still feeling connected through intent.

Much of my work comes from my interest in identity and self-perception. I’m drawn to challenging generational norms, the media that reproduces them, and the insecurities they can create. As a developing artist, my practice reflects an ongoing process of questioning, experimenting, and forming identity.