A Story of Art and Russian Grandmothers
Using plastic, silk and oil paints, artist Irina Verkhgradskaya creates dolls depicting scenes with Russian grandmothers. Verkhgradskaya's art takes root in her childhood, when she first started it as a hobby that then grew into a career. She has been making these dolls for more than three decades now.
Many of the artist's works show scenes that are both intimate and commonplace.
Irina Verkhgradskaya
Russian New Year's celebrations shown in great detail.
Irina Verkhgradskaya
It takes an average of one to four months to create each doll.
Irina Verkhgradskaya
Verkhgradskaya pays just as much attention to the setting her dolls are placed in.
Irina Verkhgradskaya
In this series, many relatable scenes are shown.
Irina Verkhgradskaya
Family members through the generations.
Irina Verkhgradskaya
Intimacy takes the form of comfort and familiarity.
Irina Verkhgradskaya
Through more than 30 years of work, Verkhgradskaya's collection of dolls now features more than 1620 pieces.
Irina Verkhgradskaya
"Sometimes when I'm making a doll, say, of an old man, I have to take breaks, stop working and calm down, and then I come back to it," Verkhgradskaya told The Moscow Times.
Irina Verkhgradskaya
"I get emotionally involved with each of them and their stories," Verkhgradskaya said.
Irina Verkhgradskaya
Each doll ranges from 4 to 17 centimeters.
Irina Verkhgradskaya
Besides individuals and family scenes, Verkhgradskaya's work is often exhibited in museums around Russia and feature historical characters like Peter the Great and Ivan the Terrible.
Irina Verkhgradskaya
For more of Verkhgradskaya's work, visit her personal page.
