Q. You have both Russian and foreign experiences in studying ceramics. Can you please tell us the key differences in teaching approach in various countries?

А. I went studying specific techniques from masters at a school of ceramics in Tuscany, Italy. There are some differences in approach. For instance, in Italy the teaching is very professional.

Q. As far as we know you have always been a creative person. What was the reason you became a fashion model at first and then turned to ceramics?

A. Since my childhood I’ve always loved to perform. I organised a home theatre with decorations and costumes. I would dress my cousins and photograph their portraits. I took part in performing on stage at summer camps. After I saw works by Alina Nikitina, I considered her the coolest photographer at the time. I was eager to become a subject of her magical work. I wrote to her proposing to be a model for her photographs. Alina invited me, it became my fist photoshoot. Other photographers contacted me after the shoot followed by designers and model agencies. Ceramics came to my life much later. I was in my graduation year from the State Academy of Architecture (MARKHI) but I knew I was not interested in pursuing architecture as my career. I came across a portrait of Lucie Rie, I remember being aspired to become such a graceful old lady, this is how I decided to try ceramics and later I fell in love with the material.

Q. Series “108” has a very personal narrative, it could almost be compared with a life journey. How much longer would it take to complete the series? How does spiritual practice help you working with ceramics?

A. There are about 30 objects left to complete, I would be making them gradually during my whole life. Spiritual practice helps in everything, but mostly in being more attentive and focused.

Q. Could you describe your perfect day?

A. My perfect day starts if I come to my studio early morning when the sunlight streams into my room through the windows. Usually I can visualise my idea clearly. I work on it trusting my feelings, sometimes I can change my initial vision. I trust material, my hands and thoughts. It is the main reason why I rarely do sketches. I prefer working in silence, I can focus better. I can only name two stages in my work, the moment when an idea comes to my mind and the moment when I open my kiln to see the results. I am a person that values results and speed. Sometimes I think I should cherish the process of creation more since it is viewed as the most important part for an artist, but I forget about it when trying to make a specific object that I see so clearly in my head. 

Q. Are you more interested in functional objects or artistic ones? What would be your next projects?

A. I am interested in everything, functional and artistic objects.

A new school of ceramics called NIMA would be opening in one year time in Moscow, I will be working there as a curator. I am very interested to try myself in education.