1990 BFA/MFA Ceramics, Art Institute of Tallinn, Estonia.
Sergie Isupov was born in 1963 in Stavropole, Russia and later immigrated to the United States where he currently resides in Massachusetts. Exhibiting and leading workshops internationally, Isupov is most well-known for his works in porcelain using traditional hand building and sculpting techniques.
Isupov works in a variety of media techniques including printmaking, drawing, sculpture, and ceramics. Throughout his various practices, he incorporates themes of erotic, relational, and surreal narratives centered around abstracted human and anthropomorphic figures. In the artworks shown below, we see a combination of attention to the surface and form with narrative painting using stains and clear glaze. Each "side" of these sculptures provide a unique perspective to the narrative that Isupov has created through the use of imagery. Often human, animal, or
Front View Back View
"The Challenge" 2012 porcelain (high fire), slip, glaze 24.5 x 10 x 8.5 inch
" ...I am a student of the universe and a participant in the harmonic chaos of contrasts and opposites: dark – light; male – female; good – evil.."
(Taken from artist statement)
Front View
Back View
"Collection of Experiences" 2011, porcelain (high fire), glaze, slips, 16 x 7 x 6 inch.
" ...I create a new, intimate universe that reveals the relationships, connections and contradictions as I perceive them."
(Taken from artist statement)
Front View Back View
"Humanimals series Lovable" 2011, porcelain (high fire), glaze, slips, 16 x 7 x 6 inch.
" ...my work portrays characters placed in situations that are drawn from my imagination but based on real life experience... "
(Taken from artist statement)
"Growth Rings" 2016, porcelain (high fire), glaze, slips, 23 x 10 x 6.5 inch.
"My artwork captures a composite of fleeting moments, hand gestures, eye movements that follow and reveal the sentiments expressed..."
(Taken from artist statement)
I selected these images specifically because they fit the criteria of the size and content of our new project, and shows a range of surrealist imagery depicted within form and surface imagery. I am most excited by his illustration of experiential perspective, and the juxtaposition of these experiences.
The Challenge specifically illustrates a sense danger, violence, and intimacy within the abstracted perspective of this surreal situational narratives. He is able to depict three full figures by layering within the forms and utilizing imagery. ( How many figures or narratives can I achieve in one 24" form for project 3?) I find that there is conflict as the viewer, of we whether should feel calm or uneasy, at peace or in an anxious state as we deconstruct these narratives.
Links:
http://sergeiisupov.com
http://ferrincontemporary.com/portfolio/sergei-isupov/
http://hifructose.com/2014/08/29/sergei-isupovs-surreal-ceramics-combine-paintings-with-sculpture/
~Summer B.~