Viktoria Vona

I graduated from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design (London, UAL) in Fine Art where I developed a practice in painting and sculpture exploring a variety of urban issues including gentrification. Following this Icompleted an MsC cities course at King’s College London. My Masters thesis focused on the regeneration of railway arches in London through the use of various art-related activites, such as theatres, artists’ studios and art galleries. 

For my PhD research I am looking at the role of artists in contesting processes of gentrification. Artists as a group have been linked to kickstarting gentrification in areas of previous neglect. However, processes of gentrification have been also documented to force out the original artist groups as well. Artists realise the irony of their role and their situation. As such, they have long participated in attempts of resisting or stalling gentrification. The main aims of my research are to assess how artists challenge gentrification, how artistic and activist practices interact in their doing so and what alternative to gentrification artists espouse.

The role of art and artists in contesting gentrification in London and New York City

Member of the Cities research group.