Biography
Irina Kotova
Born on March 8, 1979 in Zagorsk – nowadays Sergiev Posad (Moscow region) , an ancient & beautiful city – famous for its cultural and architectural heritage.
The Trinity Sergius Lavra monastery – one of the main attractions of the city , has always attracted the attention of many tourists who are thoroughly fascinated with the spirit & history of ancient Russia.
The artworks of the famous Russian artists Andrei Rublev and Daniil Cherny, located in the territory of the monastery, for many centuries has been enriching and strengthening the faith & belief of all who came under the vaults of the holy temples.
From her very early childhood, Irina became fascinated by the great masters’works, and started to draw. While still in elementary school, she was admitted to the art studio at the Central House of Youth Creativity.
Irina’s work was repeatedly showcased at city exhibitions.
In 1989, at the age of ten, the young artist was admitted to the Art School, where she began to master the basics of art under the guidance of experienced teachers.
It was during these years, when she began to work on her pencil sketches which played s major role in defining her future artistic growth, success and her final selection of priorities in life.
In 1994, Irina was admitted to the Abramtsevo Art Industrial College, named after the famous Russian painter V.M.Vasnetsov, in the art ceramics department.
«Manor Abramtsevo» , where the college is located, is a fabulous historical place.
This is where several internationally renowned masters lived & worked, such as: Vasnetsov, Vrubel, Serov.
Irina got also engaged in private art studio studies, painting under the guidance of A.Velichko and took part in the «Autumn Marathon» exhibition in 1997. Also during that period she exhibited at the youth club «Semhos» , and held a solo exhibition in the premises of Commerce and Industry Chamber (SC Art Gallery «Exclusive – Atrium»). Stories about Irina, as a young talented artist, were broadcasted on local television stations and the National Television channel ORT.
In 2001, Irina was admitted to the Saint-Petersburg State Institute of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture named after I.E.Repin, in the faculty of Painting, ranked as the most prestigious Art Academy of Russia.
A new stage begins with long-term hard work in the Academy of Arts. During this time most of Irina’s artworks are noted & prized by the State Attestation Commission of the Faculty of Painting. Starting from 2003, Irina continues her work in the Theatre Workshop under the direction of E.S.Kochergina, and soon, in 2006 she becomes the winner of the Grant Award of St.Petersburg in the «Theatre Stage Design» nomination.
In the same year the Senate of the Academy awards her a gold medal for academic achievements.
For her diploma-thesis, Irina chose Maurice Maeterlink’s opera «Blue Bird», where Irina presented all the decorations of the scenery and costumes for the opera, as well as mock-ups of the scenery. Her Diploma thesis was awarded top marks by the Faculty of Painting Certfication Commission.
After her graduation, the young, but already established artist returns to Moscow and continues her independent creative career.
To date, the artworks of Irina are highly sought after and are in private collections in France, Germany, USA, Japan, Korea, Russia and Hong Kong.