Iryna Kanishcheva’s journey is one of remarkable transformation and unwavering dedication to the arts. Born and raised in Ukraine, Iryna’s path to becoming a leading figure in the world of public art was anything but conventional. Her story is one of resilience, creativity, and a deep belief in the power of art to unite communities and celebrate cultural diversity.
Today, Iryna is the founder of Monochronicle, a cutting-edge platform that combines technology and public art to deliver customized, impactful art projects. Monochronicle partners with those who seek to transform spaces through art that resonates with communities, blending cultural insight with innovative practices. For individuals and organizations needing public art services that are both visionary and deeply connected to local identity, Iryna’s journey and Monochronicle’s mission offer a unique solution, ensuring every project is visually stunning and socially meaningful.
Building a Better Future Through Art
“I’ve always been creative, but back in Ukraine, I never imagined I’d find my true calling in the arts,” Iryna recalls. “I had a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry as a field sales manager, but there was always this part of me that saw the world a little differently.”
That difference in perspective is often manifested in unexpected ways. Even while working in a corporate environment, Iryna found herself drawn to the aesthetic potential of everyday objects. “I would take pictures of pills in the office and arrange them on the wall—my first foray into what I called it ‘pharmaceutical art,’” she says with a laugh. “It was my way of bringing a little bit of creativity into a structured world.”
But it wasn’t until Iryna moved to France in 2011 that her creative instincts found a true outlet. There, she was introduced to street art culture in a way that would forever change her life. “We stayed at a budget hotel on the outskirts of Paris, and there was this graffiti festival happening nearby,” she remembers. “Seeing those artists transform entire buildings with their work—just freestyling with spray paint—was amazing. It was raw, vibrant, and made me want to find more places like that.”
This moment ignited a passion that would soon become the foundation of her career. “It’s funny to think that some of those artists I admired back then are now people I’ve worked with,” Iryna says. “Their styles have evolved, but the energy and creativity are still there.”
From Street Art Enthusiast to Public Art Innovator
In 2013, Iryna moved to the United States, where she was immediately drawn to the street art scene in Miami’s Wynwood Walls. “The whole neighborhood was like an open-air museum of my favorite artists from around the world,” she says. However, she also noticed a shift in the art’s focus over the years, moving from innovative techniques to more commercial endeavors. This observation fueled her desire to create something that would stay true to the original spirit of public art.
When she lived in Gainesville, Florida, Iryna saw an opportunity. “It was a college town, full of young people, but there were no good quality murals—just graffiti and tags,” she recalls. “I thought, ‘This place is ripe for something more contemporary and meaningful.’”
Driven by this vision, Iryna put together a proposal for the city of Gainesville, outlining the benefits of an international street art festival. She secured funding, gained permissions from property owners, and in collaboration with the city, brought 352Walls/The Urban Art Initiative to life. “That was the beginning of my career as a public art curator,” she says proudly. “It was a success, not just in terms of the art, but in the way it inspired local artists to create more art in the city.”
This experience led Iryna to launch her own company, GNV URBAN ART LLC, where she focused on producing murals for private clients. However, her entrepreneurial spirit didn’t stop there. While pursuing an MBA at the Warrington College of Business, Iryna began to apply business concepts to public art—a rare approach in the industry. She worked representing artists, volunteered in local art agencies, and experienced process disadvantages from both sides. “I wanted to create a better model for artist selection, something simple for artists to apply and art administrators to rate,” she explains. Business school inspired Iryna in many ways. Her approach to community engagement is based on Design Thinking in Public Art – a concept often used in the corporate world.
This innovative thinking eventually led to the creation of Monochronicle, a platform that bridges technology with public art in a new way. “Public art is stuck in the past when it comes to technology,” Iryna points out. “With Monochronicle, we’re focused on the user experience and anti-biased solutions to make the artist selection process easier and more inclusive. We have implemented AI technology by training Monochronicle GPT to simplify industry-specific tasks and help art administrators via consulting.” Iryna’s expertise extends beyond the arts, as she completed a course on Artificial Intelligence at the University of Florida, where she gained a deep understanding of AI’s potential to revolutionize various industries. As she recalls, “I remember building AI models in Excel, which was exhausting but it gives you an understanding of how the technology works.” This innovative thinking eventually led to the creation of Monochronicle, a platform that bridges technology with public art in a new way.
But Monochronicle is more than just a business to Iryna. It’s a reflection of her values and her belief in the importance of cultural inclusivity. “I’m an immigrant, and I know what it’s like to navigate cultural differences,” she says. “Art has this incredible ability to bring people together, to create a dialogue where there might have been none before. That’s what I want Monochronicle to do.”
Transforming Communities One Artwork at a Time
Iryna’s approach to public art is both holistic and human-centered. She emphasizes the importance of clarity and fairness in the artist selection process, advocating for paid designs and working to ensure that every artist finds the right project. “There’s a place for every artist on the street; we just need to find the right street,” she says. What is unique about the platform is that it is designed for the consumer market too. Anyone can take a picture of their property and submit it to be considered by the artists. This approach leads to creating more jobs in the private sector.
Today, Monochronicle is a growing star in the public art sector, known for its innovative use of technology, its commitment to cultural diversity, and its ability to create art that resonates deeply with communities. Iryna’s journey from Ukraine to the United States, from a corporate office to the streets, is a testament to her belief in the transformative power of art. “Art has always been about more than just beauty for me,” she says. “It’s about connection, about telling stories that need to be told. And that’s what I want Monochronicle to continue doing.”
Monochronicle, under the leadership of Iryna Kanishcheva, takes a meticulous, client-focused approach to managing each project, ensuring that every public art initiative is tailored to meet the unique needs of both the client and the community it serves. Iryna believes in the power of art to transform spaces and foster connections, and she applies this philosophy by deeply engaging with clients to understand their vision, while simultaneously considering the cultural and social context of the community. This dual focus allows Monochronicle to create public art that not only fulfills the client’s objectives but also resonates deeply with the local community, enhancing the sense of place and belonging.
