Elena & Oleg Gorbachevski
biography |
portfolio | artists listing
b. Oleg, 1964 Elena, 1963, Moscow, Russia
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Oleg and Elena Gorbachevski take an individual approach in their artistic process. The common aspect in their work is that it can be defined as fine craft created with the means of fine art. A ceramic objet d’art is created mainly through implementation of the elements of plastic arts, painting and underglazing. Oleg and Elena work primarily on designing and making household items, such as vases and teapots that are finished as polysemantic, multi-layered images capable of bringing forth complex emotional associations. Among these are teapots and vases made as centaurs, harlequins, pharaohs, buildings, ships, etc.
After ten years of developing their art in Russia, Oleg and Elena Gorbachevski have opened a studio in Virginia. In 1987 they set up their own studio, Gorbachevski Porcelain, which specialized in cobalt underglaze. Characteristic to both artists is that their work is the fruit of their joint effort despite their distinct professional interests.
Oleg is primarily interested in the plastic aspect of designing, whereas Elena tends towards the painting facet of the work. Oleg and Elena’s common artistic goal is the creation of essential objects. Simple items such as plates, cups and teapots have accompanied mankind throughout its evolution, and are thus elementary, following the evolution of civilization.
The daughter of noted painter Aleksandr Semenov and an admirer of
Modigliani, Elena began to
develop her special style while studying fashion at
the Theater Art College. In addition to applying her ideas on style
to porcelain, both she and Oleg have created highly interesting
sculptures. In recent years Elena and Oleg have transformed themselves
into genuine American artists. They have combined the skills derived
from their deep Russian and European roots with the liberating opportunities
of America to create a distinctive, personal artistic vision.
ABOUT THE WORK
All works are executed by hand without any mechanical tools. The primary
material is low fire white clay. For sculpting, slabs and extruded
parts are used. For decoration, underglaze, stains, and glazes applied
by brushes in the same technique as painting on the canvas.
ARTISTS' STATEMENT
Our philosophy of teapot making is based on the ancient use of ceramic items: utility.
In spite of the fact that most of our teapots being strictly decorative, they are built with the idea to unite family around the hearth with their symbolic power.