CHRISTINA is a British ceramic artist of Ukrainian origin.
She came from a multicultural and diverse background combining influences from Ukrainian, Russian and British cultural heritages.
Born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Christina graduated from the National Law University (an Honour’s degree). Before finding her vocation in ceramics she was a practising interior designer and a mother of three.
Christina’s lifelong passion is art and the history of art. After completing a few courses at V&A Christina got engaged with clay and studied at Kensington and Chelsea College (London, UK). Her path led her to the RCA which has been an immensely enriching and forming experience.
She works with a variety of hand-building techniques, slip casts and throwing. For one of her projects, she developed a fabric-like porcelain material. She is constantly experimenting with raw materials, clay bodies, pigments and glazes. However, her work is not just an exercise in techniques but attempts and means to express the deeper truths of the human experience.
Recent exhibitions: “Fermenting” at Preston’s House (2023), Lighting the Onion Garden (Victoria, London) (2022), “Preface” at Pumphouse Gallery, Battersea Park (2022), WIP show 2021, RCA (2021).
Publications: Architectural Digest Russia, issue 9 (207) September 2021, 7 (185) July 2019, 5 (172) May 2018, 7 (163) July 2017.
ARTIST STATEMENT
“..what I had been taught was of little value to me except for the use of my materials as a language..” Georgia O’Keeffe
I believe that art has the power to transcend language and cultural barriers, and to evoke a sense of wonder and awe in the viewer. For me, art is a means of communication that is more direct and powerful than words. Through my work, I aim to engage the viewer and create a sense of contemplation and introspection.
My ceramic objects often involve simple geometric forms or repeated patterns, which emphasize the relationship between the artwork and the hidden structure of the world. I strive to create images that capture the essence of the natural world and of human experience, and that convey a sense of order, harmony and beauty.
My hope is that through my work viewers be encouraged to think critically about the world around them and to see things from a different perspective.
The act of working with clay is an intimate conversation with the elements. It demands patience, discipline, and a deep understanding of the materials behaviour. As I shape and model the clay, I become part of a timeless dialogue that stretches back to the earliest civilizations. I strive to infuse each piece with a sense of harmony and balance, marrying form and function in a way that resonates with both the user and the observer.
Ultimately, I believe that art could inspire and transform, and that it can serve as a catalyst for change in the world. Through my own artistic practice, I hope to contribute to this ongoing process of transformation and to create works that will resonate with viewers on both an emotional and intellectual level.
I think that through the act of creating art, we can connect with something larger than ourselves and can access a realm of meaning and significance that is often hidden from view.
Working with clay and ceramics is a quest for meaning, a way to connect with the timeless traditions of the past while leaving an imprint for future generations. It is a testament to the enduring power of craftsmanship, an expression of our shared humanity.
Education
2021-2023 MA Ceramics and Glass, Royal College of Art, London
2019-2020 Ceramics, Kensington and Chelsea College, London
2010-2012 Interior and Landscape Design, “Details” School of Design, Moscow, Russia
1995-2000 Lawyer, National Law University of Ukraine, Kharkiv, Ukraine
Work experience
2019-now Interior designer, Dmitry Velikovsky studio ltd, London, UK
2013-2019 Self-employed Interior designer
Exhibitions
2024 Flying colours series on the loan at Watson Farley & Williams office space
2023 Guildford House Open 2023, Guildford, UK
2023 Through the looking glass, Swanfall Art, Mall Galleries SW1, London
2023 RCA Graduate Show 2023, The Old Truman Brewery, London
2023 Fermenting, Preston Fitzgerald, South Kensington, London
2022 Lighting the Onion Garden, Victoria, London
2022 Preface, Pumphouse gallery, Battersea Park
2022 Work in Progress show 2021, Royal College of Art, London
Publications
Emerging Potters, Issue 32 April-June 2023
Architectural Digest Russia, issue 9 (207) September 2021, issue 7 (185) July 2019, issue 5 (172) May 2018, issue 7 (163) July 2017
