Biography
Veronika Kvitko, known as Vegesent, is a multidisciplinary artist based in Finland. She aims to initiate conversations and spark awareness around ethical values and sustainability through her art.
She was born in Sarapul, Russia, in 1990 and currently resides and works in Helsinki, Finland. Being raised in a small town near the Ural Mountains, the scarcity around her in childhood became abundance, as it taught her to cherish life beyond material things and forge deep connections with the earth, empathy for animals, and inner resilience.
Her childhood was marked by an eight-year full-time scholarship at the Aesthetic school of visual and performing arts in Sarapul, laying the foundation for her creative journey. At 17, she began actively working in digital media, contemporary illustration, and photography. Eventually, drawing on her early artistic training, she transitioned to experimenting with mixed media paintings, blending her diverse skills and experiences.
In 2016, she graduated with a BA in Graphic design from Metropolia UAS, Finland. Since then, she worked in various creative and art industries such as book illustration, fashion photography and game design. This also meant that she became increasingly aware of underlying ethical and environmental issues within the art industry that often go unnoticed. This growing awareness led her to shift her focus towards individual choices and efforts, aiming to address these industry-wide problems through her own practice.
Raising awareness about environmental issues and the violence against animals, her art has been awarded the Vegan Choice Award in 2024. She also currently serves as Vice chairperson of the Helsinki International Artists Association.
Her works have been exhibited in Helsinki’s cultural center Cable Factory and City Museum, and published in international magazines, such as Picton, Boulevard, and Style Cruze. Her works can be found in private collections in Russia and Europe
Artist statement
The heart of my artistic journey is deeply intertwined with minimalist philosophy. Therefore, my minimalistic yet colorful paintings and installations are true to Scandinavian cultural principles — highest quality craftsmanship, simple appearance, and an unwavering respect for nature.
My approach to art as a platform for activism begins with a core idea, before identifying the possible mediums I can access. My choice of materials speaks to my commitment to authenticity and sustainability: I hand-pick local sand, reclaimed wood, and other discarded materials to ease the toll on our planet's finite resources and combat water and landfill pollution.
In the studio, I meticulously craft each detail, aiming for the highest possible quality of the art piece. Finally, I refine the piece through simplification, distilling it to its essence to ensure the message shines through unobstructed.
However, my dedication goes beyond just lessening the environmental impact; I'm equally passionate about promoting the well-being of both people and animals.
Through raising awareness, supporting marginalized vegan communities, advocating for change, and aligning my art practices with ethical values, I strive to contribute to a world that's fairer, more just, and brimming with compassion.
Veronika Vegesent CV Veronika Vegesent Biography. Press release