Statement on the Artist
Irina was born in Moscow, Russia in 1957. She has advanced degrees in book illustration from the prestigious Moscow Art Institute. Having illustrated a number of children's books, Irina found that her love for sculpting offered a wider range of expressing her artistic views. Porcelain had a particular attraction because of its historical importance, as well as for the finer grain this material offered as opposed to other ceramics. She developed several unique techniques that had never been used before, resulting in few limitations to her creativity. All of her works are created using high-fire porcelain, over-glaze as well as under-glaze colors, and 18K or 24K gold luster.
Irina begins creating a sculpture without knowing how the story ends. She rarely does a sketch for a piece beforehand. Her initial goal is to create an intriguing shape. When the object is completed, Irina determines what the shape suggests in terms of colors, spaces, painting, and gold luster. Her creative process is always an improvisation.
Surrounded by over 2,500 books, Irina works in a small converted garage studio listening to CDs of still more books while creating her exquisite worlds. The products of her inventive imagination defy belief in their meticulous detail and striking beauty. They are fairytales, mythical illusions, and a celebration of the majesty of nature. The porcelain clay allows her to paint in much greater detail than other clay bodies as she adds layer upon layer of paint followed by firing after firing. The gold luster, reminiscent of Byzantine icons, is the last application. The magnificent detail of each piece keeps the viewer deeply engaged, making discovery after discovery. In each work there exists beauty, tension and a hint of erotica.
Education
1982 Moscow Art Institute, BA and MFA, Book Illustration
Selected Collections
Contemporary Art Center of Virginia, Virginia Beach, VA
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, de Young Museum, San Francisco, CA
Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia
Michigan Art Museum
Racine Art Museum, Racine, WI
SOFA WEST '10: Jane Sauer on Porcelain Work by
Irina Zaytceva
In July, Paul Niemi of Uncle Paulie's World attended the 2010 SOFA West art fair in Santa Fe, New Mexico. While he was there, he had the opportunity to talk with Jane Sauer of Jane Sauer Gallery on Canyon Road about the porcelain work of Russian-born artist Irina Zaytceva..
