Above the Horizon set | Contemporary Wheat and Plaster Relief Artwork, 2026

Valentyna Zhytnyk  

Valentyna Zhytnyk is a Ukrainian-born contemporary artist, jewelry designer, gemologist, and former international top model based in New York City.
She is the founder of ART OF GEMS STUDIO — a contemporary mixed-media art project exploring the relationship between gemstones, texture, sculpture, natural materials, and emotional storytelling — and the founder of the fine jewelry brand L'Impératrice.

Before entering the art and jewelry world professionally, Valentyna built an international modeling career collaborating with fashion houses, beauty brands, and publications including L'Oréal Paris, Roberto Cavalli, ELLE, Harper's Bazaar, Pierre Cardin, Victoria's Secret, and other international luxury projects. Her experience in fashion and visual culture became a strong influence on her artistic language, shaping her understanding of beauty, composition, femininity, atmosphere, and visual identity.

Her artistic practice was later shaped through formal education at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Christie's Education, and years of experience working within the luxury jewelry industry in New York, including professional work at the Manhattan headquarters of Harry Winston and previous experience at Tiffany & Co.

Working with gemstones, minerals, acrylic textures, shells, sculptural surfaces, metallic elements, and organic materials, Valentyna creates tactile contemporary artworks positioned between fine art, collectible design, and jewelry craftsmanship. Her works explore themes of identity, femininity, nature, emotional energy, transformation, cultural heritage, and materiality.

Her artistic vision combines Ukrainian cultural influence with contemporary New York aesthetics, luxury craftsmanship, geology, architecture, and fashion-inspired visual storytelling.