ELENA TSERETELI: A GLASS APART
Renowned Georgian artist, whose glass works have captivated art lovers across the world, talks about her artistic legacy
Renowned Georgia-born artist Elena Tsereteli’s works have garnered critical acclaim across the world
Her stunning dacha (summer house) nestling in Moscow’s leafy suburbs, is an art lover’s delight. A maze of towering metallic sculptures – of men and women, political leaders and artists – in fascinating poses lead one up a gravelly path into the mansion’s interiors brimming with paintings, objet d’art and antique furniture. Her own artworks – glass flower vases of all shapes and sizes painted in vivid hues, discarded TV sets transformed into eye-pleasing collectibles – pepper of the mansion’s corners. Elena Tsereteli, 64, daughter of legendary Georgian artist Zurab Tsereteli, is a gifted artist, who has carved an enviable niche for herself internationally despite living under the shadow of her illustrious father. Born in Tbilisi, Georgia, and now based in Mocow, she has a solid academic and artistic pedigree as well.
Elegant glassware by Elena Tsereteli
After graduating from the Lomonosov Moscow State University in art history, she completed her DPhil at the Ilia Repin Saint Petersburg Academic Institute of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. The author of many books has also penned many research papers on Russian art.
However, despite her impressive scholarship, Tsereteli’s abiding passion is to create art. “While creating art, I’m naturally inspired by all the beauty around me as well as my taste for ephemeral things. I feel genuine joy in creating beautiful things, those one would wish to have around them in their everyday life and at their homes,” she elucidates. Inspired by her father, whose works adorn prestigious museums and landmarks across the globe – New York, Georgia, Moscow, Puerto Rico and more – Tsereteli has held shows across Russian cities as well as in Europe. Her most recent exhibition – Intuitive Photography — at the Moscow Museum of Modern Art opened to rave reviews.
Renowned Georgia-born artist Elena Tsereteli’s works have garnered critical acclaim across the world
It featured ornamental miniatures in black and white as well as in brighter hues along with screens of glass and wood reminiscent of ancient stained glass compositions of yore. The display reinforced Tsereteli’s vision of glass being “a material refracting light and visually capable of changing the scale and shape of objects”. Despite foraying into numerous art forms, however, the artist elaborates that her favorite medium remains glass. “I work in transparent and colored glass covering vases and other objects with intricate ornamental patterns.
Elegant glassware by Elena Tsereteli
I draw inspiration from the beautiful fragile materials as well as the aesthetic of transparent color glass that refracts light,” she says smiling broadly. Transfused with light and vibrant hues, Tsereteli’s works primarily revolve around her feelings and emotions as well. “Ornamental patterns grow in spite of me,” adds Tsereteli. “I can’t create anything by my own design; when working, I can only channel my feelings and impressions,” she adds describing her creative process.
Elegant glassware by Elena Tsereteli
The artist uses a series of glass vases and caskets as a canvas and turns them with acrylic paints and varnish into bright, picturesque objects. Patterns of smooth lines flow seamlessly into each other, abstract shapes and complex color combinations coming to life subsequently. The emphasis in her works, she adds, is always on light, tones and special architectural construction.
Elegant glassware by Elena Tsereteli
“`Why does glass attract me so much?’ Well, it’s a question I’ve asked myself several times. I reckon this fascination goes back to my childhood when I sat for hours watching my dad painting beautiful stained glass works. These creative sessions would be followed by us contemplating on our created works. The magic emanating through those glass creations and the stimulating discussions we had left a lasting impression on my young mind, propelling me organically towards this beautiful medium,” she recalls.
Elegant glassware by Elena Tsereteli
Tsereteli has had a distinguished academic career working as an editor at the Lenin State Library as well. She later joined the Tbilisi Art Factory of the Art Foundation of Georgia, formerly part of the USSR, now an independent country. As part of her busy schedule, the artist has also been a regular member, as well as a Presidium member of the Russian Academy of Arts and the director of Zurab Tsereteli Art Gallery in Moscow. How does she find time to juggle so much? “It’s all about passion,” she sums up with a dazzling smile. “If you’re inspired, you’ll find muses everywhere and also the time to create art.”
