"I believe in a dance between art and research that we can use as a powerful tool to drive social change, rebuild trust, and infuse optimism into our communities."
Alena Rogozhkina,
Founder and Artistic Director of Abandoned Artists
About
Alena (pronounced as ‘A-lyo-na’) Rogozhkina is a Ukrainian-born Edinburgh-based visual artist, creative producer and curator. She works across installation, photography, printmaking, moving image and sculptural drawing to explore memory, change, alternate realities, belonging, and the quiet moments where identity rebuilds itself. Alena's contemporary art practice often shaped by listening to people in turbulence, as their stories mirror parts of her own. Those stories spark her curiosity to explore insights from behavioural science, philosophy and contemporary spirituality. Alena is drawn to fragile, often found materials like glass, rusted metal and wire to create because to her they echo the tension between vulnerability and resilience.
Alena is a member of Stills Photography centre in Edinburgh and an alumni of Curated Place. She is also a creative mentor supporting emerging artists navigate their professional path by developing sustainable art practice.
In 2023, Alena founded Abandoned Artists CIC, driven by her belief in art as a powerful tool to
rebuild trust, spark hope, and foster meaningful connections for artists affected by war, conflicts and
displacement. Drawing on her passion for community wellbeing, Alena has created a unique space where creativity becomes a tool for emotional healing, community-building and professional development. She combines her own artistic practice with a deep understanding of human behaviour, helping individuals process trauma and rebuild their creative careers.
Alena’s entrepreneurial spirit has earned her recognition, including awards for
outstanding mentoring, innovation, and leadership. Yet it’s her deep personal connection to
displaced communities and her unwavering belief in the transformative power of art making a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most.
In 2025 Alena has been recognised as finalist for Wise 100 Rising Star her dedication to displaced and refugee artists community in Scotland
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