Christina Katrakis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Christina Kushch Katrakis
Portrait of Christina Kushch Katrakis
Christina Kushch Katrakis
Born
Christina Marie Kushch

(1980-12-16)December 16, 1980
Kyiv, Ukraine
NationalityAmerican
Known forAmbassador for the Foundation for United Nations SDG, International Political Coordinator for The Delahunt Group & BGR (Washington D.C.), International Investment Coordinator for the Andesite Blue LLC British Investment Fund (London), official international coordinator of the United Nations Agenda 2030 SDG Global initiative in partnership with the FFUN and official international coordinator of UNESCO for the UNESCO Center of Bologna,[1] painting, curatorship, philanthropy,producer in Hollywood MO’z art pictures[2] and Visionairemedia[3]
Awards“Freedom to Create” Global Award for ‘The Zone’ series of works, 2010[4]
Websitekatrakis.com

Christina Katrakis (December 16, 1980) is an International coordinator and curator, writer, Ambassador for the Foundation for United Nations SDG, International Political Coordinator for The Delahunt Group & BGR, International Investment Coordinator for the Andesite Blue LLC British Investment Fund, an official international coordinator [1] of the United Nations Agenda 2030 SDG Global initiative[5] in partnership with the FFUN[6] and official international coordinator of UNESCO for the UNESCO Center of Bologna[7] producer in Hollywood MO’z art pictures[2] and Visionairemedia,[3] an American artist (sculptor, painter) and writer. Has USA citizenship.

Early life and education[]

Katrakis was born in 1980, December 16, in a family of Anatoliy Kushch-Katrakis and Helen Pilkevich-Kushch. Her father is a renown sculptor, author of many historical monuments in the United States, Iran, Libya, Ukraine and Poland,[8] residing in Kyiv, Ukraine. Her mother is an ethnographer and an art historian.[9] She officially took the double second name Kushch-Katrakis because of Greek legacy of her ancestors, who were Cretan and Pontic Greeks, migrated long ago to Ukraine, according to her father.[9]

Katrakis founded the International Academy of Arts in 2005[10] which is now based in Munich, Germany.

At age of 10 (in 1991 year), Katrakis moved to Chicago, USA with her parents, when her father received an order for a monument creation in Chicago. While in Chicago, Christina studied in the St. Nicholas Catholic school and later relocated to Maryland and Washington DC, where she studied at the English International institute for Foreign Languages and Diplomacy in Washington (1992–1993). In 1993–1994 she also studied in parallel – in a specialized school of "Glenn Eco", Maryland, USA. In 1994–1998 she came to Kyiv, where she studied at the Shevchenko State Art School She also studied at the renowned National Academy of Art of Ukraine, as well as in various art schools in Europe and in the USA: she studied courses of Arts, Art History and Anatomy in Italy and France (Lorenzo di Medici' Academy in Florence and Sorbonne Academy in Paris) and in 1998–2000 she studied at the National Academy of fine Arts and Architecture in Kyiv. In 2000–2002 she studied at the Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, USA. When in the university, Katrakis participate and took active, patriotic position in the USA Army Reserve Program (Navy). She obtained a terminal MA degree in Arts (PHD equivalent) from the University of Memphis[11] where she was teaching drawing, figure structure, watercolor and oil painting.[12] She spent several years at the University of Memphis as a teacher and lecturer, and building a national reputation as an artist: her works are owned by Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Angelina Jolie, among others.[13]

She comes from a family with a rich heritage and background: maternal grandfather – last king of Georgia and Armenia (Bagrationi and Dadiani royal lines) and royal prince of Lithuania ( Yagailo Gedimin royal line) – Simon Bagration Dadiani Gedimin Pilke, his grandmother on paternal line was Isabella de Savoy from royal family of Savoy kings of Piemonte and Sardinia. Maternal grandmother – the countess of Poland and Ukraine, granddaughter of countess Evelina Hanska the wife of Honore de Balzac. Paternal line: Father a sculptor Anatoliy Kushch (Katrakis), comes from a family of Cretan artists as well as his cousin Manos Katrakis famous Greek actor.[14]

As a model of the Berehynia statue on the Independence Monument in Kyiv, for instance, the author Anatoliy Kushch chose his daughter, Christina Katrakis. The statue is made of a cast bronze and weighs about 20 tons. In 2014, Katrakis was at the Maidan of Independence in the heart of the capital of Ukraine, during disturbances in Kyiv in the Second Maidan revolution, approved by a photo.[2]

Christina Katrakis is married to Roman Kudlay, producer, top-manager and international project's coordinator. Together they have a son Mark Roman Kudlay, born on July 15, 2015, he's an USA citizen.

Life and work[]

Christina Katrakis could easily be described as a classical example of the ‘Renaissance Person’, since her life, career and interests span in many directions:

Ambassador: In March 2021, Christina Katrakis was officially nominated - Ambassador for the Foundation for United Nations SDG for International Relations.

Coordinator: Katrakis coordinated numerous high-profile international projects. Her main objective is to build strong political and economic ties between the countries and to promote pro-western and capitalistic principals, and values, in which she believes. Her personal interest in politics and business, led her to the career of an Official International Political Coordinator for the leading Washington DC Lobbying Firm “The Delahunt Group”, working in cooperation with “BGR Group” (top 3 rating globally).[11]

She has coordinated a number multimillion projects worldwide, such as The Orion Project– where she managed a $600 million investment project - island within an island project, Gran Turks and Caicos Islands; and “The country within the country – Lefkadia” a $450 million investment project. Currently she represents one of the largest international investment firms, located in New York – “98 Global Group” and coordinates multi million investment projects internationally.) [11] Katrakis is an official consultant for “We Fund Health” an international strategic advisory firm focused on commercializing healthcare innovations, direct investments and connecting transformational companies with intelligent capital partners (New York City, USA). And she is the International Investment Coordinator for the Andesite Blue LLC British Investment Fund (London).

In 2019 Christina Katrakis was appointed the official UNESCO coordinator and international projects’ curator of the Centro per I’UNESCO di Bologna. This official title was granted to Christina Katrakis by the UNESCO Ambassador Maurizio Aronica himself. She is from now on, leads international projects of the Centro per I’UNESCO di Bologna, which included the UNESCO art show “Bridge for Art» which took take place in the historical Palazzo Torfanini in Bologna in April 2020.[7] The work on the “Bridge for Art” UNESCO project for UNESCO Center in Bologna has come to an end on May 5, 2020. On November 18, 2020, Christina Katrakis has been appointed an official international coordinator [1] of the United Nations Agenda 2030 SDG Global initiative[5] in partnership with the FFUN[6] and official international coordinator of UNESCO for the UNESCO Center of Bologna. Katrakis believes that all together we can make a difference for the better!

Curator: Katrakis has curated numerous international major events, exhibitions, fairs and presentations. She has worked with Christies’ Fine Arts Auction, MacDoughall's Art Auction, Art Huston, Moscow World Fine Art Fair, FIAC Paris, TEDx, Slik – Pale de Tokyo Paris, Berlin fashion Week, Art Monaco and Art Miami. [15]

She managed and curated large investment collections, such as the Christie's Fine Art Auction Projects, The Forbes Private Collection, Voronov's Museum of Art ($50 million investment), The Kings of Pop Art: Andy Warhol/ Indiana, Kennedy Collection, the private collection of Lord Bookatz, London and Kiwi Group, Miami. Throughout her career she has curated and co-coordinated major educational and cultural international projects such as the TEDx Forum in Vatican, Cambridge Scholarship, St Sophia Vatican Museum and numerous World Art Fairs project to name a few.[11]

Filmmaker and Producer: Katrakis made a film "UltraViolet Light", featuring life and work of the famous muse of Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí and Katrakis’ personal close friend – Ultra Violet. The film was presented in 2014 at the RAR Gallery, Berlin as part of the Art Berlin Program.[16] Katrakis was also an anchor woman on TVI channel, leading her own TV show.[17] She works as a producer in Hollywood MO’z art pictures [2] and Visionairemedia.[3] She is the producer of the Visionairemedia documentary film "Believe", directed by Mary Lambert edited by Shawn Thompson exacutive director Jerome Gary.[18][19] press on film: latimes.com & laweekly.com & shootonline.com & shootonline.com She's a senior International Producer in a number of Hollywood and International Film Studios including Visionaire Media (Los Angeles/New York), Archer Films Corporation (Los Angeles/London/Sydney) and Mo'z Art Pictures (Los Angeles/Palm Springs).[11] Katrakis is a Producer and project coordinator at Archer Films Corporation (Los Angeles, London, Sydney) she is the “Arrivederci”. Film producer, main cast Isabella Rossellini Other cast members include famous ‘Harry Potter’, ‘Romeo & Juliette’ with Leonardo DiCaprio and ‘Modigliani’ with Andy Garcia– actress Miriam Margolyes, as well as Jeanie Drynan, known for ‘Muriel’s Wedding’ and ‘Soft Fruit’. Executive Producer – Robert Slaviero responsible for distribution of such major success-films as“Titanic” ,“Moulin Rouge”,“Paddington”“Twilight”.[2]

‘Freedom To Create’ Global Award: Katrakis had a son, who died when he was only 8 days old, from a heart disease, caused by a Chornobyl disaster[20] and another baby, who was unborn, for the same reason.[13] The cause of it was Katrakis’ childhood explosion to radiation: her mother did ethnographical work in Orane, near Chornobyl when explosion took place. Hence, a 5-year-old Christina was in the heart of a disaster and underwent 2 years of medical treatments as a result of it. In one month after the death of her newborn, Katrakis drew-up a cycle of paintings titled the "Zone", inspired by these horrible events. For these series of works Katrakis was awarded the “Freedom To Create” Global Award as "The 2010 Highly Commended Artists" of the «2010 Freedom to create Exhibition» “The Zone” series were then on the world tour in the international museums world-wide (New York, Egypt, Paris, Bosnia, China etc.) The painting "Omen" from the "Zone" series is now in the permanent collection of UIMA the Institute of Modern Art in Chicago. The full catalogue was published for this museum exhibit.

Philanthropy: She is a “Freedom to Create” World Peace Prize Winner and an Official Ambassador for the Foundation for United Nations for International Relations SDg (Sustainable Development Global Project), as well as an Official International Coordinator of UNESCO, Bologna.[11] As the ambassador of good will for “Freedom to Create” World Peace Prize, Katrakis was on the mission around the world, working in team with major world representatives and celebrities, raising funds to support young talents who strive for social change in places where there is no "Freedom to Create". To help those in need, working to help sick children and orphans. Katrakis played an active role in raising awareness and funds for the ‘International Children’s Heart Foundation’ through the charity project ‘Chernobyl Heart’. A catalogue featuring her works was published by ICHF. The catalogue represents the work from The Zone series, a collection of short stories, as well as documentation of the work done by Christina Katrakis, Ali Hewson & Bono, Oksana Grigorieva & Mel Gibson in support of ICHF through CCPI. Proceeds from the sale of this catalog went toward ICHF & UCHH. Katrakis was working with numerous international social and philanthropically organizations in the process: UN, UNICEF, Green Peace, CIHF, CCI and many others.[6] In 2020 Katrakis took on a very active position during the COVID-19 Global Pandemic. Together with her close friend and a famous American artist David Datuna she has founded the ‘Art4Changes’ awareness and aid campaign, raising funds to aid in combating the virus. In this charitable project, most famous world artists gave their paintings, artwork, lecture, music and other projects for sale, and the proceeds from the sale of these works went to the support of scientists and doctors who oppose this virus. Art4Changes worked together with 3 major foundations dealing with the cause as their partners: Red Cross (all countries of the world), WHO (world health organization), CDC (centers for disease control). The buyer of the (artwork, memorabilia, merchandise, music track, lecture, book etc.) paid the sum (cost of the particular object) directly to the charity of his choice and in the country of his choice. Art4Changes did not handle the money at all, only promoted the cause of these tree major global foundations which needed help and support in COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Katarkis was an official President of this global charity project, leading the campaign both in the US as well as in Europe.

Author: Katrakis has written several published poetry collections “Cartography: mapping it out” and “Pillow Book” , numerous short stories, essays such as “Modern, Post-Modern, Pop: Regression or Exhaustion of Art”, ‘Ghent Altarpiece”, “Her Odyssey” and “Symbolism” and many articles. Her articles on Robert Graves’ family members and their recollections were published in ‘DeLuxMagazine, Mallorca, Spain and in Berlin Kunst Magaine, Berlin, Germany and her articles on Ultra Violet’s legacy and recollections were published in Delux Catalog, CMOODY, Berlin, Germany and in Berlin Kunst Megazine, Berlin, Germany. Being a true grecophile, Katrakis writes as journalist for the “Best of Milos” Magazine, among her recent articles is a touching story about her own home on the island of Milos “The boat house of my dreams”

Artist: Katrakis also known not only as a painter, but also as a potter, a sculptor, a writer and a documentary maker.[21] She began to work in all these areas simultaneously in 2002, when she had presented several projects titled ‘Atlantis’ during her study at the ASU.[21] In 2011 Katrakis photo series "Tree of Life" appeared in "The picture of the World. Free look" exhibition hosted by the Christie's Fine Art Auction.[22] The 2011 was highly productive for Katrakis – she took part in 6 exhibitions around the world and even opened her own ‘Katrakis Gallery’.[12][20][22][23][24][25] Her renown painting "Omen" from the "Zone" series paintings is now in the permanent collection of UIMA the Institute of Modern Art in Chicago. The full catalogue was published for this museum exhibit. Numerous assays and articles were written on Katrakis’ artwork, such as Memory, Trauma, and the Maternal: Post-Apocalyptic View of the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster by Hanna Chuchvaha,[26] “Angel of Hope” by Andrew Clark, “End of the World. Art of Chornobyl” by the Art Guid, “Neo Symbolism: Bridges to the Unknown by UIMA, “Explosive Talen” by Marlin Sadler, “Painful Prism” by Bill Ellis, Art: Powerful Emotion by Bazaar Magazine and many others. Also, several poignant films were filmed on the artist and her work, including a full PBS Documentary.

Business: Katrakis together with her husband Roman Kudlay, own and run hospitality business on the island of Milos, Greece.[27][28][29] Their VIP Eco-Studios located on one of the best beaches in Greece, won Airbnb booking & Instagram's ‘World’s Best Hospitality Award’[30] in 2019, topping the listing of 10 world's best hospitality businesses as the number 1 and being the only hospitality business in Greece to win the award. This has received impressive press coverage both in Greece and internationally.[31][32]

Ambassador of Foundation for United Nations SDG for International Relations[]

In March 2021, Christina Katrakis was officially nominated - Ambassador of Foundation for the United Nations[33] SDG for International Relations. This high title was awarded by the Foundation for United Nations promoting the SDG agenda, in association with the Center for UNESCO in Bologna[34] and European Council [35] representing the "European Silk Road" project. Christina Katrakis will now combine two official titles: that of an international UN/UnESCO SDG coordinator and that of an official Ambassador of Foundation for United Nations SDG International Relations. This new appointment will cover all countries of the world and will aid in spreading global awareness for the UN/UNESCO/FFUN Sustainable Development Cause and its agenda.

It is further stated on the official page of the Foundation for United Nations that: -"International coordinator for the UN/UNESCO SDG program for UNESCO Center of Bologna. Creator of different projects directed to raise awareness and funds for combating covid19. Activist of NON PROFIT organizations aiming to support Sustainable Development. Having Mrs Katrakis declared her desire to contribute to the FFUN objectives by making her experience, contacts and reports available FFUN has appointed Mrs CHRISTINA KATRAKIS as Ambassador for International Relations."[36]

Participation in exhibitions as a painter[]

  • 2002 Exhibit after Minoan culture, as a senior graduate, Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA[21]
  • 2004 "Moments of life", "Elisavetgrad" exhibition, Kirovograd, Ukraine.[37]
  • 2008 Personal exhibition in Kyiv, Ukraine, Europe.[38]
  • 2010 "Neo-Symbolism: Bridges to the Unknown”, Chicago, IL, USA.[39]
  • 2010 “Prism Art Exhibition”, Memphis, USA.[40][41]
  • 2011 “The Little Prince”, The Chocolate cake Museum, Kyiv, Ukraine, Europe.[23]
  • 2011 “The picture of the World. Free look”, The Chocolate cake Museum, Kyiv, Ukraine, Europe][22]
  • 2011 "The Zone", New York, USA.[20]
  • 2011 "11th European festival of the Nude Photography: Glances at the body”, Europe.[12]
  • 2011 Personal exhibition in Kyiv, Ukraine, Europe.[24]
  • 2011 “Arising” exhibition, Kyiv, Ukraine, Europe.[25]
  • 2013 “Art World”, Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine, Europe.[42]
  • 2013 “Moments of Time”, Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine, Europe.[43]
  • 2014 “Ultra Violet Light”, with Igor Kalinauskas.[44][45]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "Christina Katrakis has been appointed as an official international coordinator".
  2. ^ a b c d e "MOz Art Pictures - Christina Katrakis". Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "Visionairemedia - Christina Katrakis". Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  4. ^ "Freedom to Create - The Zone". Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Sustainable Development Goals Fund". Sustainable Development Goals Fund.
  6. ^ a b c "Partnership with the FFUN".
  7. ^ a b "Centro per I'UNESCO di Bologna". Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  8. ^ "Anatoliy Kushch". Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  9. ^ a b "Sculpture is a hard work". Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  10. ^ "About the Founder". Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  11. ^ a b c d e f "Christina Katrakis".
  12. ^ a b c "Learn more about the artist". Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  13. ^ a b "Ukraine Nightmare". Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  14. ^ "konshu - Christina Kush-Katrakis". Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  15. ^ "Christina Katrakis".
  16. ^ "The last film of the muse, lover and colleague of many of geniuses was filmed by Ukrainian team". Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  17. ^ "Ukrainian Artists of the 21st Century – Christina Katrakis". Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  18. ^ "Mary Lambert - Believe". Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  19. ^ "VisionaireMedia - Mary Lambert - Believe". Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  20. ^ a b c "I've painted "Zone" after my son's death". December 22, 2011. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  21. ^ a b c "Kushch to present multi-dimensional senior art exhibit, featuring Minoan culture". Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  22. ^ a b c "The picture of the world. Free look". Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  23. ^ a b "Brad Pitt's favorable person had brought an Exhibit to Kyiv". Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  24. ^ a b "Hollywood artist Christina Katrakis Opens Her Art Gallery in Kyiv". Archived from the original on October 28, 2014. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  25. ^ a b "Opening of 'Growing up' exhibition". Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  26. ^ "Christina Katrakis".
  27. ^ https://abnb.me/grg0hr7wR9 "VIP Eco-Studios". {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  28. ^ "VIP Eco-Studios".
  29. ^ "VIP Eco-Studios".
  30. ^ "airbnb".
  31. ^ "iefimerida".
  32. ^ "miloslife".
  33. ^ Foundation for the United Nations http://www.foundationfrunitednatins.org. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  34. ^ Montanari, S. M. di Stefano. "Home Page". Centro UNESCO Bologna.
  35. ^ "European Silk Route". Council of Europe Office in Venice.
  36. ^ "Foundation for United Nations". www.foundationforunitednations.org.
  37. ^ "Moments of life". Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  38. ^ "Ukrainian from Hollywood brought her paintings in Kyiv". Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  39. ^ "Neo-symbolism: Bridges to the Unknown at the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art". Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  40. ^ "January midsouthmusts" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 4, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  41. ^ "Painful 'Prism' – Touched by Tragedy of Chernobyl, artist's work radiates power". Archived from the original on March 29, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  42. ^ "American, who was a prototype for a Liberty Monument in Kyiv: I have to carry it bravely". Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  43. ^ "'Moments of time' Exhibition". Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  44. ^ "Igor Kalinauskas – BBC". Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  45. ^ "Ultra Violet light project – Dali, Picasso, Warhol and I". Retrieved March 25, 2015.
Retrieved from ""