Elena Gileva

Collector of sorts

Fascination with history and culture contained in objects is expressed throughout my work. Observing and studying formal aspects of artifacts as well as learning their meanings and histories drives me to create their contemporary renderings. I am interested in the material culture, in its expression and interpretation. Decoration and surface are my main basis for the transmission of a concept. Abandoning current trends of minimal, modern/postmodern and purely conceptual, I take ORNAMENTAL as a subject and symbol of the old and new - the spiral movement of history.
The object as a power tool is crucial to communicate ideas. In that respect archaeological or museum (historical) objects are of great importance. They tell us a story and contain layers of information and significance that form our understanding of cultures and history. Cultural luggage and heritage is what makes us who we are. The narratives created through the agency of relics are a base of our collective consciousness, however in the contemporary world the axis of histories has been shifted through the displacement historical objects. High saturation of history in select few centers creates hyper culture whilst stripping its owners of the rights to it. One singular object is never enough for a full picture, it is rather through a group or sequence, a composition of them that those speculations and theories can be made. Acting as a ‘collector’ of surfaces, ideas and shapes I seek to assemble an eternal universe of my own".

What is your favourite material to work with? How has your use of it evolved throughout your practice?

Clay. It brings endless possibility through diverse processes and tactility, expression that are ingrained in its nature.

What themes do you pursue?

Fascination with history and culture contained in objects is expressed throughout my work.

If you could only have one piece of art in your life, what would it be?

Jomon period vessel

If you weren´t an artist, what would you be doing?

historian

What are your favourite places besides your studio?

my garden

EXHIBITIONS

SOLO

GROUP

GALLERIES

PUBLICATIONS

AWARDS

EDUCATION (detailed)