Birch bark icons by Olga Kirina. The artist of applied art Olga Kirina lives and works in Novosibirsk. Together with her husband they are engaged in khokhloma painting, making baskets, boxes, trays and utensils. But most of all Olga enjoys working with bark. Birch bark is soft, warm. For three years the artist has developed unique technology of manufacturing icons, and when the first sample was ready, she received the blessing of Archbishop Tikhon of Novosibirsk and to continue the work. Then Olga Kirina was comissioned by the Holy Synod to make icons. Now her icons are in several temples in Moscow, Novosibirsk and other cities. All icons are made in strict accordance with the canons.
Bark Icon consists of several layers that are glued to each other, such layers can be from ten to twenty. Birch icon is a very time-consuming work, each work takes up to few months. To protect the icon from external influence and extend its life on the top is covered with wax. Beautifully decorated with natural semiprecious stones frames give to the icons the special beauty and solemnity. But Olga, by her own admission, does not strive for beauty. “While working on The icon I follow one principle: the icon is not a work of art, it is the subject of the Holy”. Still, icons, made by Olga Kirina – are a real piece of art – elegant, decorated with precious and semi-precious stones, mother of pearl, the finest patterns.
Olga Kirina is a member of the International Art Fund, the Moscow guild of painters and crafts, Moscow Women’s Business Center, Creative Union of professional artists. Olga Kirina participates in art projects and exhibitions since 1981. Her name is included in the “Golden Book of Culture” of Novosibirsk region, in the category “Master – golden hands”. Just a few years ago the name of Olga Kirina was known only in the Novosibirsk region, now her artworks are in museums and galleries in Russian cities, the USA, France, Germany, Belgium and Japan. In 2000, Olga Kirina received the blessing of the Church for creating icons. Olga developed her own unique style of making icons on siberian birch bark.
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