This Wonderful World of Ceramics
Absolutely unusual, wonderful works made of clay, chamotte and faience were presented at the one-man exhibition of the ceramic artists Tatiana Alexandrovna Chistyakova, Honoured Artist of Russia, and Anton Yevgenievich Sokolov, member of the Russian Artists’ Union. When working with these materials, the artists applied various techniques – painting, decorating with salts and glazing, black-glazing, reducing firing. Using the eternal material – clay, Tatiana Chistyakova created a unique image of northern churches, strikingly beautiful northern landscapes and chamber heartfelt panels depicting disappearing corners of ancient Vologda with its wooden houses and carved palisades. The chamber heartfelt panels depicting the corners of ancient Vologda became a sign of the artist’s individual style. Faience clay which was used to make them and soft colour combinations imparted fine lyricism to ceramic landscapes. You can see works of Tatiana Chistyakova in the interior decoration of public buildings in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vologda, Cherepovets and district centers of the Vologda region.
Her son Anton Sokolov is a professional ceramic artist. He taught in the studio “Blue Bird” (Vologda) together with his mother during about 10 years. They revived techniques of medieval ceramics together with their pupils. He follows his own way in art. Along with traditional folk pottery, he makes a lot of vessels for modern interiors – vases and decorative lamps - on the potter’s wheel using his own designer’s solutions. And he does it very skillfully and in good style. On basis of a folk toy, the artist creates ocarinas – clay wind instrument in the category of vessel flutes – which became a part of the ritual culture from time immemorial. His articles are always popular with visitors – both children and adults – at the historical festivals and large fairs.
The name of Tatiana Chistyakova has gone down in history of art of the Vologda region and has become an integral part of the history of Russia’s decorative and applied arts. This exhibition didn’t sum results of the artists’ creative work - it was the next stage towards new achievements.
