Artist Statement
When people ask me why dolls? I always answer that they combine everything I love and can do.
Since childhood, I have been a very creative child. I was always drawing and making things. I studied at a children’s art school and went to a handicraft studio. My parents and especially my grandmother always supported me in this. It was she who taught me to tie a knot on a thread and sew clothes for my dolls. I remember the time spent with her with great warmth.
I have long since grown up and became a mother of three adult children, but at some point I realized how important it is for me to create exactly what can convey warmth and keep happy memories. Dolls, for me, are like a bridge between generations, like a piece of kind and fabulous moments of life.
Every time I create a new work, I believe that at this moment our world becomes a little better.
Education
I graduated from the Art School and the Academy of Construction and Architecture. I am an architect by training.
Artist membership questionnaire
Do you have any doll-related work experiences?
I didn’t have a job involving dolls.
After graduating from the academy, I worked in an architectural bureau, but then moved to an advertising agency, where I worked in graphic design.
Have you exhibited your dolls?
I am a regular participant in specialized exhibitions in Ukraine (before the war), the Czech Republic (Doll Prague). Participated in exhibitions in Spain (Barcelona, Roses), Germany (Neustadt b. Coburg, Sonnenberg), Hungary(Budapest), Great Britain (London, Bristol), the Netherlands, Azerbaijan (Baku), Georgia (Tbilisi), European Professional Doll Art Festival (Latvia, Riga)
Have your dolls been published in any books or magazines?
My work has been written about more than once in newspapers and magazines, but the most significant publications were in the magazines “Puppen und Spielgzeug” (Germany) and “Miram” (Spain).
Have you won any doll-related awards?
Winner of the competition within the framework of the International Spring Doll Festival “Amalia_2017” (Germany, Munter),
Silver medalist of the International Doll Festival (GDS) Global Society of Puppet Societies (UK, London) in the category “Designer Porcelain Doll”,
Second place DABIDA AWARD 2018 “HANNIE SARRIS AWARD”
How long have you been creating dolls?
I have been creating dolls since 2010
How did you get started in dollmaking?
My acquaintance with designer dolls can be called mystical. Many years ago, our friend was given a caricature doll. I was so amazed by it that I asked to introduce me to the author. She was a very young girl, she told me about her hobby, but did not undertake to teach me. At the Academy, I studied sculpture, academic drawing, painting, composition, so I really wanted to apply this in my work. I looked for information on creating dolls from different sources and took professional master classes from famous and experienced doll artists, learned to work with porcelain. But my mystical story is that many, many years later I found out that the very girl who “infected” me with dolls was born on the same day as me! Only she is much younger)
List any art, dollmaking, or collecting organizations to which you belong.
UAHA (Ukrainian Association of Handmade Creativity), (GDS) Global Society of Puppet Societies
In what medium do you work? (eg. Paperclay, porcelain, textiles)
I create movable porcelain dolls with a textile body. The genre to which I refer my works is “Fairytale Realism”
If you work in reproductive media, do you make your own molds?
Yes, I make plaster molds for castings from models that I mold myself from sculptural plasticine. The number of castings that I make from one mold is from one to three. I do not repeat the design of dolls. This does not apply to small Christmas tree toys; I make them in editions of 10-20 copies.
What type of paint do you use? (do you have a preferred painting technique)
I paint porcelain with special paints for porcelain and fire them at 750°C. I admire the beauty of porcelain as a material, so I do not tint it completely in order to preserve its marble surface.
Do you make your own wigs? (please describe your process)
I make doll wigs myself. First, I prepare a thin, hard base, onto which I glue the hair, forming the necessary hairstyle. For the wig, I use llama or goat wool, which I dye by hand if necessary. If desired, the wig can be removed from the finished doll.
Do you make your own accessories? (please describe your process)
As accessories, I sometimes use ready-made antique elements (hat flowers, buttons or other small items). Since my dolls are mobile, I create furniture to match their image. An armchair, a pouf, miniature pillows or other textiles, I make all this myself. I order wooden stands from a carpentry shop.
Do you make your own clothing? (please detail any help you may have in pattern drafting or construction of clothing)
All my dolls’ clothes are removable. That’s why the inside is made the same as the outside. I learned the intricacies of sewing clothes from a professional seamstress. I used to be into Japanese applique and I really like Japanese structural cotton. I use only natural fabrics and sometimes use the applique technique. I add traces of time to the doll’s finished costume in different ways. My preferences are laconicism with an emphasis on textures and color.
Do you have assistants? (what/how do they contribute to your work)
I sew all my clothes myself. I really enjoy working with fabrics. But before, when I had problems with constructing a pattern for clothes, I sought professional advice. Now I don’t need it.
Have you designed dolls, toys, or other work for commercial manufacture?
If this can be called a commercial project, then I create Christmas tree decorations and make them in small editions.
How do you sell your dolls? (wholesale, retail, consignment, commissioned work)
I have a website with an online store, but I sell my work mainly through social networks and at exhibitions. I plan to open my Etsy store again soon.
Do you advertise? (if so, where)
I am an active user of social networks, where I talk about my work and show finished works. I do not use additional advertising.
Why do you want to be a member of NIADA?
In my aspirations, dolls are not just a form of creativity, they are art.
For many years I have led an active social life as a doll artist. Art projects, exhibitions, competitions…
Three years of war in Ukraine have changed everything! Nevertheless, I continue to create and this opportunity is of great value to me.
Now I need a breath of fresh air.
Membership in Niada, for me, as an artist, is a new creative turn.
I am close to the values of Niada and I want to become part of this creative community.
