Interview: Irina Schiwon
Luca Curci talks with Irina Schiwon during Hybrid Identities, at the first appointment of BORDERS ART FAIR held in Venice, Palazzo Albrizzi Capello.

Irina Schiwon born in Russia, journeyed to the German Democratic Republic in 1984 after completing their education. Influenced by artistic greats like Kandinsky, Miro, and the Bauhaus masters, they began their artistic endeavours, shaping a style that seamlessly blended diverse influences. Post-reunification, Irina Schiwon contributed their creativity to a German office in Russia. The year 2020 marked a significant chapter with a Vernissage in Wannsee, Berlin, leading to a year-long solo exhibition. Subsequent years saw the artist participating in art fairs in Magdeburg, Hamburg, and Dresden, culminating in a 2023 exhibition in Tuscany and appearances at art fairs in Cuxhaven, Magdeburg, and Dresden. Irina Schiwon’s work continues to evolve, capturing the essence of cultural amalgamation and reflecting a unique artistic journey.

Luca Curci – How did you get to your current artistic practice?
Irina Schiwon – How it all began, 2007 the fateful year with the worst warning to one’s own self. The abyss, just a little pain, diagnosis…cancer…how horrible and insidious. And there he was, a little man with unspeakable patience, empathy, warmth and incredible humour. I didn’t put my fate in God’s hands, no, in the hands of this experienced doctor. “When you are angry and in total pain, throw paint on the wall and smear it on the abstract mythical creature. Art can heal. Take pen and brush to the clinic and fight the inner demons, because the war against the disease is just beginning. Remember, art is one of the greatest building blocks in the therapy.”

LC – What are your thoughts while you paint? Do you have any habits or rituals while you work?
IS – Abstraction is not chaos. Each of my paintings has its own signature. I let myself be guided by emotions and bring my feelings onto the canvas. In doing so, every basic idea is my focus, I do not make sketches and think in the original. The colour is an expression of my passion. In the abstract, colour gives me the freedom to work off, change or adapt until it finally fits my basic idea.

LC – How do you choose your subjects? Is it a reasoned or an instinctive process?
IS – A picture says more than a thousand words. The important thing for me is that the visual language is right. The abstract stimulates reflection, dreaming or sensuality. To each his own dream. That is my vision. To search for one’s own, to linger, to listen, to sink into one’s own world in order to then immerse oneself in the picture.

LC – Do you use art to express something in particular? Is it your medium of expression?
IS – My works do not pursue a depictive intention. Instead, they try to develop their own language and thus emphasise an independent reality. My visual message can be loud or quiet, but always in search of my own inner dream.

LC – How do you feel when you see your work completed?
IS – I compare the grinding to a classic car. With a new car, you expect everything to work. The classic car is completely different. First, you need an ignition key, when I start grinding I need a brush. With the classic car, after the ignition, you slowly play with the gas and when you paint, you slowly play with the paint. With Motor it is the unknown, with me it is my pictorial language that I want to convey to the viewer. My pictures are authentic, they have an emotion. I am happy and curious about the reaction of my viewers

LC – We were attracted by your last artistic production, has the artwork presented been created for the exhibition or as a part of preexisting works?
IS – The two pictures are part of my existing works.

LC – Do you agree with our vision of art and what do you think about the theme of the exhibition?
IS- I fully agree with your vision. The theme is very topical and shows the complexity of our life.

LC- Do you think ITSLIQUID GROUP can represent an opportunity for artists?
IS – Definitely. I liked the exhibition a lot. But it fell the audience. The presentation on the internet is excellent, but interested buyers in this price range are not on the Internet. It fell, in my opinion, the direct guidance of visitors to the exhibition in Venice.

LC – Did you enjoy cooperating with us? 
IS – That was excellent. I was touched by the direct approach through an email from Giulia.

LC – What do you think about ITSLIQUID Platform?
IS – I find the idea and the work of ITSLIQUID very important. The platform gives every artist a better chance to become known.