Galleria Autori AGC | AGC members gallery
Nadya Lunkina
Russia | Israel
Mi chiamo Nadia e sono immersa nel mondo dell'arte della pasta polimerica da oltre un decennio. Per me è più di un semplice medium; è la mia passione e la mia vocazione. Sono passata alla pasta polimerica dopo aver completato i miei studi in ceramica e la sua pratica. Dopo la laurea, ho intrapreso una ricerca per trovare un materiale che mi permettesse di creare sia in studio che a casa. È stato durante un viaggio in Finlandia che mi sono imbattuta in Fimo, un marchio tedesco di pasta polimerica, in un negozio di forniture per artisti. Ho perfezionato la mia esperienza e mi sono specializzata in miniature, esplorando varie tecniche come appliqué, ricamo e imitazione di tessuti, serigrafia, mokume gane e miniature culinarie. Dal 2012 partecipo ad esposizioni in tutta la Russia, e ho clienti soddisfatti in Australia, Europa, Giappone e Corea, oltre ad aver contribuito ad eventi di beneficenza a favore dell'infanzia.
Il mio recente trasferimento in Israele con la mia famiglia, ha segnato un nuovo capitolo nel mio percorso. Come artista dell'argilla polimerica con anni di esperienza, dal 2023 partecipo attivamente al più grande mercato in Israele, il mercato "Nachalat Binyamin", nel secondo quartiere più antico di Tel Aviv, fondato da e per artisti, compresi musicisti e menti creative. Con il mio contributo artistico, mi pongo l'obiettivo di elevare l'immagine e il valore dell'argilla polimerica come materiale versatile per un design sofisticato piuttosto che resti confinato all'artigianato per bambini. Mi dedico a rimodellare le percezioni e mi impegno affinché l'argilla polimerica sia maggiormente apprezzata e presa in considerazione all'interno della comunità del design.
Dal 2021, ho collaborato con la rivista Polymer Week, condividendo la mia competenza attraverso tutorial sia in formato cartaceo che online.
Membro della Israeli Designers Association, a dicembre 2022 ho avuto l'onore di ricevere una borsa di studio dal Ministero dell'Integrazione in Israele, come artista altamente qualificata in tecniche originali. Negli ultimi sette anni, ho condotto workshop per persone di tutte le età. Attraverso il mio lavoro, il mio obiettivo è promuovere connessioni, costruire ponti e ispirare fiducia in coloro che scelgono le mie creazioni.
La creatività rappresenta per me il modo di socializzare in un posto nuovo, ottenere supporto e riconoscimento in una nuova comunità. Conosco poco la lingua e sto ancora imparando a comunicare verbalmente. Creare gioielli è diventato un modo per me di entrare in contatto con un nuovo paese. Cerco di allargare i confini della mia pratica artistica, sforzandomi di pensare fuori dagli schemi ed espandere le mie capacità.
My name is Nadia, and I've been immersed in the world of polymer clay artistry for over a decade now. It's more than just a medium for me; it's my passion and my calling. But rewind a few years back, and I was just like many, unaware of what polymer clay truly was. My journey with this medium began after completing my studies in ceramic arts and pottery craftsmanship. Following graduation, I embarked on a quest to find a material that would allow me to create both in the studio and at home. It was during a trip to Finland that I stumbled upon Fimo, a German brand of polymer clay, in an artist's supply store. I immersed myself in learning and perfecting my craft, and soon, I found my niche in crafting jewelry and festive decor from polymer clay.
These days, I specialize in miniatures, exploring various techniques such as appliqué, embroidery and fabric imitation, silk screening, mokume gane, and culinary miniatures. Since 2012, my creations have graced fairs and exhibitions across Russia, finding homes with satisfied clients as far as Australia, Europe, Japan, and Korea. I've also been privileged to contribute to charitable events, raising funds for children in need.
My relocation to Israel with my family a year and a half ago marked a new chapter in my artistic journey. Here, I've continued to hone my skills, channeling my expertise into elevating the perception of polymer clay as a medium of sophisticated design.
As a polymer clay artist with years of experience, for the past year I have been actively participating in the largest market in Israel, the "Nachalat Binyamin" market in Tel Aviv, in Tel Aviv's second oldest neighborhood, founded by and for artists, including musicians and creative minds. Through my presence and contributions, I aim to elevate the image and value of polymer clay as a versatile material for sophisticated design rather than being confined to children's crafts. My involvement in this prominent market allows me to showcase the artistic possibilities of polymer clay, emphasizing its potential for high-quality and unique designs. I am dedicated to reshaping perceptions and fostering a deeper appreciation for polymer clay within the design community.
My commitment to reshaping perceptions of polymer clay extends beyond the marketplace. Since 2021, I've collaborated with Polymer Week magazine, sharing my expertise through tutorials in both print and online formats.
In December 2022, I was honored to receive a grant from the Ministry of Absorption as a highly skilled artist with unique techniques. Since summer 2022, I've been a proud member of the Israeli Designers Association. For the past seven years, I've been conducting workshops for individuals of all ages, introducing them to the joys of polymer clay artistry.
Creating handmade jewelry is more than just crafting; it's a form of communication between the artist and the wearer. Each piece I create is a reflection of my artistic journey and a testament to the shared beauty and understanding between us. Through my work, I aim to foster connections, build bridges, and inspire confidence in those who choose to adorn themselves with my creations.
In every bead and pendant, I continue to push the boundaries of my artistry, exploring new techniques and challenging myself to think outside the box. With each creation, I delve deeper into the essence of what it means to be an artist, constantly evolving and growing in my craft.
I need socialization in a new place. I need support and recognition in a new community. I know the language poorly, and I am still learning to communicate verbally. Creating jewelry has become a way for me to connect in a new country. Handmade jewelry is a form of communication between the artist and the wearer. What's most valuable to me is that the people who choose my jewelry are like-minded individuals; we see beauty and perceive the world in similar ways. This shared understanding allows me to build my circle of connections, which consists of confident individuals. Modern jewelry is about confidence: you should be able to talk about it, answer questions, because polymer clay jewelry is still not widely known. Jewelry is also a means of personal expression to the world, and I'm pleased that people choose my creations as their medium.
When creating my jewelry, I rarely focus on anything specific. I choose colors, take clay in my hands, and think only about how the piece should feel and what emotions it should evoke in the owner. This process allows me to explore myself as an artist. Each time, I push the boundaries of my craft, striving to think outside the box and expand my skills.
Docenze | Teaching
Polymer Week Society
Collezioni | Public Collections
Museum Pohl_Stroher, Germany
Esposizioni | Selected Exhibitions
Museum Pohl_Stroher, Germany 2023