Bio

Philadelphia based artist Vita Litvak grew up in Tiraspol, the capital of the self-declared post-Soviet nation of Transnistria. Litvak’s family immigrated to the United States shortly after the violent civil war that raged through the region in the summer of 1992. Her work continues to be informed by her experiences of immigration and investigate its effects on perception, identity, and subjectivity. Her practice is rooted in the photographic medium and extends into video and community-based projects. Litvak holds a BA from Haverford College and an MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is currently the Adult Programs Manager at Fleisher Art Memorial and Adjunct Professor at Arcadia University. She has also been a Visiting Assistant Professor at Haverford College, an Adjunct Professor at Moore College of Art, and an Adjunct Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. She has had solo exhibitions at Haverford College Atrium Gallery and at Allens Lane Gallery, and has shown regionally and nationally.

Artist Statement

At first glance, you might only see an ordinary bouquet of flowers. It takes another moment to recognize that the flowers have wilted, the petals and leaves have dried or rotted, the water has evaporated from the vase. Momento is a project that began pre-pandemic, but became even more relevant as the pandemic raged and extinguished so many lives across the world. These momento mori began to resonate differently in the dark months of quarantine, as the horrific stories of hospitals at full capacity and patients unable to get treatment filled the air waves. Making these images in my studio in isolation became a way to process the difficult emotions as well as honor and remember the victims. These once living, colorful and vibrant bouquets that bring joy and wonderment into our lives remain curiously as graceful and enticing in their death. What is often thrown away as it expires, through the act of framing, lighting, and composition, is now made precious and beautiful, a scene for us to sit with, ponder, and reflect on what all living beings experience: mortality.

www.vitalitvak.com