A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST: IRINA STARKOVA Irina Starkova is an artist and photographer living in between Monaco and London. Here, she reconsiders portraiture in her vibrant new project “New Idols and Modern Muses”, part of the exhibition of Russian artists opening from 25 March until 5 April at Kensington’s Russian Cultural Centre. WORDS: SID RAGHAVA How did ‘New Models and Modern Muses’ come about and what else have Collection Red got planned in the near future? I set out to create a series of confronting tongue-in-cheek family portraits based on mythological subjects and figures from antiquity. There’s a sort of cut and paste element to the pieces. Each piece started out as monotone bust and developed organically as I gradually added colour, costumes and backgrounds to each portrait. I wanted to add some humour to the hacked carvings and the portraits all have elements of politics and modern society running through it. The subjects reference the everydayness of mug shots or selfies and at the same time old classical portraiture. By conveying ancient figures against modern backdrops I wanted to show how they might fit into a modern environment, for example, Homer the grandfather figure wearing a Christmas cracker hat. We love your juxtapositions of past figures in contemporary settings and the fusion of photography and painting – where did you
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get your inspiration and how did you develop your style? I am a figurative artist and I started out doing portrait commissions primarily with oils. My style is a mixture of pop with classic. I like to use a bold palette and overstated contrasts. I love painting people. Inspiration comes from dreams, the people I meet and also through hours of audiobooks and radio that I listen to whilst working. Normally, I have a very clear mental image of my subject and composition. I’m quite obsessive once I start painting – I work on two or three pieces simultaneously. Painting for me is an addiction. Is this your first engagement with the Russian Cultural Centre? Also, how exactly do you split your time between Monaco and London? This is my first exhibit with the Russian Cultural Centre and I am currently preparing for my upcoming show in London later this year. One of the great things about being an artist is that I can work from pretty much anywhere in the world. I was commissioned to make several PAGE 16
portraits in Monaco last year, so I moved to the Cote d’Azur to complete the commissions and I ended up staying. At the moment, I am working from my studio in Beausoleil, which is just above Monaco. It’s an idyllic and peaceful setting, which gives me time and space to think. However, London holds a very special place for me as there is so much scope for creativity here. The city has an electric atmosphere, which really inspires me and is also the reason why I am returning to London towards the end of the year. Can you tell us a bit more about the artists at Places and Faces? Yes, there are some very talented Russian artists exhibiting alongside me, and I think that it is important to recognise the emerging talent and see how Russian artists have been influenced by their new surroundings. For more information on Irina Starkova visit irinastarkova.com and for ongoing exhibition see www. collectionred.co.uk