Elena Kourenkova

Based in United Kingdom
ELENA KOURENKOVA
Born in Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad), Russia, in 1966. Graduated from an Architectural institute in 1989 and moved to Moscow, where worked as an architect until the beginning of Gorbachev’s Perestroika, then worked as an interior designer. Moved to Glasgow, UK, in 1996. Self-taught, although studied arts as part of degree as an architect. Exhibited at the Royal Glasgow Institute, Paisley Art Institute and Aspect Prize Annual exhibitions. Was represented by established galleries at the Art Fairs in London, Battersea, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Chelsea, Birmingham, Aberdeen, Ireland etc; and have works in private and corporate collections throughout the UK, Australia, USA, Greece, Germany, Spain, Sweden and Russia. There were a number of articles in local and national press concerning my work and images had appeared in the TV Channel 4's Grand Design. Works exhibited in established galleries throughout the UK.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
Growing up under the authoritarian Soviet regime, when ordinary Russians had to wear that drab look of obedience and self-suppression, I had always wanted to escape from that total uniformity and find the way to express my vision of life in a different way, reflecting happier, funnier side of everyday life.
My subjects are loosely based on own experiences and observation of life-and are therefore recognisable, which often provokes a smile or a laugh (much desired effect). I try to reflect everyday events in a different, lighter way; my subjects (although at times seemingly emotionally isolated, even when they are clustered in groups) are not lacking emotions, they only express them in their own way. They are content and happy, yet do not take themselves too seriously, they just go about their business as if no-one is looking. Their self-sufficiency is their freedom…
Sometimes my characters might look quite realistic and recognisable, but their grotesque figures make them look ironic-we see one thing but they tell us another. Like many things in life-things are not always the way they seem.
In other words, I try to reflect life as we see it but don't always notice.
I want to provoke a comment, a reaction, an emotion. I want to make you smile.
Russians are guided by their emotions, not by common sense, and this has an effect on all my work (whether I am paying myself a compliment here, I am not sure)...
Selected galleries and exhibitions:
Royal Glasgow Institute of Fine Art
RGI Kelly gallery
Paisley Art Institute and Aspect Prize
Home and Interiors Exhibitions, SECC Glasgow
Scottish Contemporary Art Auction, McTears' Auctioneers
Affordable Art Fairs London, Battersea, Glasgow (GAF), Chelsea, Birmingham, Aberdeen
First Contemporary Art Fairs Edinburgh
Karen Tailor Contemporary Fine Art, Twickenham, London
Colomb Art Gallery, Marylebone, London
Enid Lawson Gallery, London
Off The Wall Gallery, Cardiff
Regent Gallery, Somerset, Weston-super-Mare
Rowan Gallery, Drymen, Loch Lomond and Helensburh
Christo's Gallery, Glasgow
Arteries Gallery, Glasgow
The Annan Gallery, Glasgow, West End
McGregor Fine Art, Glasgow
Scotlandart.com, Edinburgh and Glasgow
Hanover Fine Art, Edinburgh
Westminster Gallery, London
The Jerdan Gallery, Crail
Tartan Gallery, Edinburgh
Alpha art, Edinburgh
Daisy Frame Gallery, Biggar
Fotheringham Gallery, Bridge of Allan
Devorgilla Gallery, Dumfries
The storm Studies Gallery, Moffat
High Street Gallery, Kirkudbright
Frameworks Gallery, Troon
Macmillans Cancer Relief Charity Exhibition, Glasgow and Edinburgh
Hancel Foundation Art Auctions
Retail Trust Charity Exhibition, Glasgow
Marie Curie Cancer Relief Charity Auction
The Preshal Trust Charity Auction
Children's First Charity Auction
University of Glasgow CHAS and Cancer research Charity Exhibition and Auction
Auction Sale in Aid of Yorkhill Childrens' Hospital
Tolquhon gallery, by Tarves, Aberdeenshire
Castle Gallery, Inverness
Frames Gallery, Artesan Gallery, Perth, and Perth Festival
Central House of Artists, Moscow, Russia
Tracey McNee Fine Art, Glasgow
The Queens Road Gallery, Aberdeen
e-gallery, Bearsden,
Spring Art Fair, Sweden
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Remind me Again, Why do I Need a Man?
Oil - 19.7"x19.7"£890.00 -
A Little Less Conversation
Oil - 23.6"x23.6"£1,590.00 -
A Cat Crept In
Oil - 59.1"x29.5"£1,990.00 -
Its Not the Size that Matters
Oil - 19.7"x15.7"£690.00 -
Random Act of Glamour
Oil - 19.7"x23.6"£590.00 -
The Bad and The Ugly
Oil - 19.7"x23.6"£990.00 -
Nothing To Do and All Day To Do It
Oil - 17.7"x17.7"£990.00 -
Somewhere, Beyond the sea
Oil - 13.8"x27.6"£1,190.00 -
Tom, age 12...
Oil - 17.7"x15.7"£595.00 -
When will you be mine?
Oil - 21.7"x25.6"£1,390.00 -
I'm your hoochie-coochie man
Oil - 23.6"x27.6"£1,090.00 -
Some like it hot, some like it wet
Oil - 23.6"x21.7"£695.00 -
How to handle a woman
Oil - 19.7"x21.7"£750.00 -
united front
Acrylic - 25.6"x25.6"SOLD -
All is not what it seems
Oil - 23.6"x23.6"£1,290.00 -
Be mine
Oil - 7.9"x7.9"£250.00 -
Highland rebel (without a cause)
Oil - 23.6"x23.6"£590.00 -
You make my pants want to get up and dance
Oil - 23.6"x23.6"£595.00 -
And now I become invisible
Oil - 15.7"x21.7"SOLD -
Stood Up
Oil - 17.7"x21.7"£595.00 -
Nude II
Oil - 7.9"x11.8"SOLD -
Nude I
Oil - 7.9"x9.8"SOLD -
Rhythm and Blues
Oil - 17.7"x21.7"SOLD -
Afternoon delight
Oil - 11.8"x11.8"£395.00 -
Afternoon delight
Oil - 11.8"x11.8"£395.00 -
In perfect harmony
Oil - 11.8"x11.8"SOLD -
Every girl needs a few loyal subjects
Oil - 23.6"x25.6"£790.00 -
Always wearing my invisible crown
Oil - 23.6"x27.6"£1,050.00 -
Was she in love or was it just Allergies?
Oil - 17.7"x17.7"£490.00 -
Nobody ever seems to remember that life is a game we play
Oil - 15.7"x21.7"£1,090.00 -
what women want-men? money?? chocolate???
Oil - 23.6"x21.7"£1,290.00 -
All is not what it seems
Acrylic - 23.6"x23.6"£1,190.00 -
Distant times
Oil - 13.8"x17.7"SOLD -
Anyplace, Anywhere
Acrylic - 19.7"x19.7"£990.00 -
No shades of grey today!
Oil - 13.8"x19.7"SOLD -
He who knows Everything
Oil - 21.7"x21.7"£1,190.00