Konstantin Steshenko studied animation at Emily Carr University of Art + Design in Vancouver, Canada. His first film "Wind & Tree" won Best Canadian Student Short at the Ottawa International Animation Festival 2013. Konstantin currently resides in Los Angeles and eats so many cookies that he feels guilty enough to write about it in his bio.

Konstantin Steshenko is one of the artists in the Journey-scapes art exhibition at the Gene Siskel Film Center in conjunction with the FAAIM 21st Annual Asian American Showcase April 1st through 14th, 2016. We asked him a few questions about his work and artistic journey!

What/Who inspires you?

The natural world is unceasingly surprising and if I can impart a small fraction of its wonder I will feel like I have been successful. I am indebted to Ursula K. Le Guin, Haruki Murakami, and Hayao Miyazaki for their work and inspiration.

Eliza, webcomic. Images courtesy of the artist.

What are you working on right now?

A webcomic about a guru I met on my travels through South East Asia and the future he foretold.

How would you describe your artistic journey?

I’ve been an artist ever since I can remember and love experimenting in different mediums, from animation and comics to writing and illustration. With every new project I seek to challenge myself with a new style and aesthetic that will best represent the idea I want to see born into the world.

See more of Konstantin Steshenko’s comics on http://www.konstantinsteshenko.com // konstantinsteshenko.tumblr.com // Instagram @steshenkon // Twitter @KonSteshenko // Join us at Journey-scapes art exhibition opening Friday, April 1, 2016.

Screening for this series of shorts will be held on:

MARCH 5, 5PM
J.R. Sullivan Theater at the
Rockford Public LIbrary, Rockford, IL

CHICAGOLAND SHORTS is a new short film series produced by Eugene Sun Park and Kayla Ginsburg, co-curated with Beckie Stocchetti (Kartemquin Films). The series celebrates the vastness of the Chicagoland experience, providing an outlet for cinematic voices that are underrepresented in mainstream media culture.

Chicagoland Shorts brings together the best of the so-called niche cinemas – queer, Asian American, black, experimental, etc. – culled from local film festivals, micro-cinemas, and film schools. This eclectic collection boasts award-winning films including a finalist for the 2014 Student Academy Award and the recipient of a Human Rights Award from Nielsen Reviews. Collectively, the films featured in Chicagoland Shorts have screened nationally and internationally at museums, galleries, and over 100 competitive film festivals.

Queen of My Dreams — 3:00 — Fawzia Mirza and Ryan Logan
Permute — 4:24 — Lydia Fu
Jaspa’ Jenkins — 4:00 — Robert Carnilius
Self-Deportation: The Untold Tale of a Marginal Woman — 19:28 — Eugene Sun Park
Mae’s Journal — 12:00 — Amir George
The Carousel, 1952-1987 — 4:00 — Amanda Taves
Shirley’s Kids — 9:50 — Michael Paulucci
Train — 2:00 — Valia O’Donnell
Western Candyland — 2:30 — Robert-Carnilius
Moms and Dads — 4:45 — Fred Frederiksen & Dylan Jones

For more information on the series and previous/upcoming screenings, you can visit http://fullspectrumfeatures.com/chicagoshorts/

Artist Interview // KONSTANTIN STESHENKO

Chicagoland Shorts X VOL1 Screening: Rockford, IL