Elena Kourenkova

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