— VALENTINAKI

Valentina Kovalishina, known as Valentinaki, is a Latvian-born multimedia artist whose work explores the elemental force of water and its profound role in our lives. Born in Riga in 1985, she began her artistic journey experimenting with watercolors before studying pastels under Valeria Shuvalova in Latvia. In 2009, she moved to Italy, where she honed her skills in oil painting under the guidance of renowned Florentine figurative artist Giusy Boncinelli, discovering her true artistic voice.

Valentinaki’s work reflects a deep reverence for nature, the sea, and water, often centering on the oyster shell as a symbol of imperfect perfection. Her abstract creations merge poetic sensibility with conceptual depth, addressing environmental issues and inviting reflection on humanity’s responsibility toward the planet.
Over the past decade, Valentinaki has presented her work in prominent exhibitions worldwide, including site-specific installations in historical Italian venues such as the Sanctuary of Santa Maria dei Miracoli at San Celso, Castello Sforzesco in Vigevano, Vigevano Castle, Castel dell’Ovo in Naples, the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio in Milan, and Palazzo del Pegaso in Florence. She has also showcased her work internationally at major art fairs, including Miami and Palm Beach, and in 2025, she presented a site-specific outdoor installation during Milan’s Fuorisalone.

In 2022, Valentinaki founded The Baltic Vibe, a cultural initiative promoting the unique artistic heritage of the Baltic countries abroad through exhibitions, performances, and cultural exchanges.

Through her art, Valentinaki continues to inspire reflection, awareness, and appreciation for the natural world.