We are thrilled to welcome a remarkable new artist to our gallery, whose journey is as inspiring as her artistry. Viktoriia Smirnova hails from Kharkiv, Ukraine. She has faced immense challenges due to the invasion of her homeland. Overcoming numerous obstacles, she decided to temporarily leave some of her family behind and seek refuge in Boulder County, where she currently resides as a Ukrainian refugee.
Settling into her new community, she found solace and inspiration in the art of pottery. Her passion for creating stunning pieces using the old-world technique of Milk Sealing has become a way for her to pour her heart and love into her work. With every piece she creates, she experiences great joy in shaping the clay with her own hands, each artwork becoming a unique representation of her resilience and creativity.
As a self-taught ceramist, she specializes in the ancient craft of Milk Sealing, a technique passed down to her by her mentor. This method, which predates modern glazing processes, involves using a blend of milk and beeswax in the finishing stages. This intricate firing technique not only imbues her creations with a distinctive texture and appearance but also waterproofs them through the incorporation of beeswax during firing.
Each of her creations is a true labor of love, meticulously molded by hand without the use of a potter's wheel. Her pieces are not only a testament to her dedication to preserving traditional artistry but also a fusion of her personal experiences and cultural heritage. Every piece she creates is one of a kind, bearing the unique mark of her journey, creativity, and timeless Milk Sealing technique.
We invite you to experience the beauty and resilience encapsulated in her exquisite pottery pieces. Join us in celebrating her remarkable journey and the artistry she brings to our gallery, adding a touch of history, culture, and heartfelt craftsmanship to osmosis.