Being Russian born, in my work I am drawn to folk art and highly decorative crafts which tell a story. In my ceramics I try to keep the 'usefulness' of objects whilst remaining tethered to story-telling which is often mythological like the story of the wild boar, or the firebird which was connected with the cult of the sun and the revival of new life, as well as the Phoenix. Marked by great vivacity, boldness and zest these themes cross many mediums; wood, textiles, lace, metal work, ceramics…

My childhood was spent in Russia, in St Petersburgh, or back in the day, Leningrad. Folk art was a kind of national heritage, from brightly coloured golden wooden spoons, to lacy carvings on old Dacha houses, Russian woolly black scarves with gaudy pink roses, Matryoshka dolls and wonderfully illustrated fairytale books by Bilibin. Against the general drabness of the 60’s and 70’s this served as a delightful contrast. No wonder I now have a passion for colour. Playfulness, vibrancy and exuberance are my endeavour as a maker.