The exhibition “Russian Folklore” – showcase artwork through the children’s eyes based on folk tales such as “The Snow maiden”, “Masha & the Bear” and “The Frog Princess” plus many more. The work is in a variety of mediums including watercolour, pastels, clay and batik.
Russian School Friendship aim to create an environment that encourages young people to learn. Through art we try to improve the life chances of children to build bridges to greater mutual trust and understanding and to contribute to a just and cohesive society.
Exhibition shows what children could do and how they use their creative thinking.
Mayor of Bexley was very pleased to see the high standards of children work and their knowledge of Russian folklore and traditional art techniques. He said that it was great that children could learn their roots and to do something positive with their energy and time.
About Exhibition
The main aims of our exhibition are familiarise Russian children, who live in England, with Russian folk art, traditions, celebrations and costumes. On the other hand we want to share heritage of our culture with local community. Artist used Russian folk tales to help children to imagine old time. While she was reading such tales as ‘The snow maiden’, ‘The Frog Princess’, ‘Masha and the Bear’ and many more, the children were creating their pictures. They produce vivid, imaginative pictures with good understanding of Russian costume and environment.
Not only children learn about their cultural heritage during the project but also gain knowledge about different mediums including clay, glass painting and fabric collage.
I familiarized the children with a unique ancient Russian craft: Khokhloma. Exotic flowers, shoots, berries and fantastic leaves create beautiful, arabesque pattern on every day cutlery. The unique, floral pattern reflects the Russian people’s love of nature and quest for beauty.
Another technique children have tried was a fabric collage. At the beginning they carefully looked at fabric structure and colours. After that children drew sketches of their ideas, which we discuss together. Than they blew up their drawings in natural size of their collages, cut out shapes and used them as templates. The children work in-group of 3 and produce lovely collages. They experience some sawing skills as well.
One more technique is clay. Children made traditional Russian figures of women, children, domestic animals and fowl. This is the most ancient Russian folk art called ‘Dymkovo Toy’, which used to depict pagan symbols. The figures are very easy to make by using different shapes of coils. Unfired clay painted in white tempera, before painted in bright
Colours by using very simple pattern: circles, rings, lines and dots.
About artist Mrs. Svetlana Quigley
Svetlana was born in St.Petersburg Russia. Starting to draw very early she joined an art club in the famous Russian museum Hermitage, when Svetlana was 5. In 1981 Svetlana completed Art Secondary School and spend 2 years in Academy of Art, where Ms. Quigley was improving her realistic drawing skills.
In 1989 Svetlana graduated from Academy of Theatre Art in St. Petersburg, where she specialized in Stage and costume design and obtained Master degree. Since that Ms.Quigley put about 20 shows in St. Petersburg, Murmansk and London.
Also she took part in many exhibitions in Russia and abroad, where she exhibited stage design drawing and fine art paintings. Svetlana Quigley works in a variety of mediums including oil, pastels, gouge and mosaic.
At the moment Svetlana Quigley teaches art in Supplementary Russian school ‘Friendship’. The exhibition ‘Russian Folklore through Children Eye’ is running in Hall Place Bexley from 8th September to 7th October 2007.
