All Forgiving by Tatsiana Shevarenkova
For her first solo exhibition at Saint Cloche gallery, Belarusian artist Tatsiana Shevarenkova draws on her fascination for biomorphic sculptors and soft dynamic form with All Forgiving.
Words: Hande Renshaw | Photography: Claudia Smith
‘What I love most is the freedom and challenge to work with one material and to become confident with it. It’s rewarding to feel like sometimes there are no limits to how it can be worked with,’ says Tatsiana Shevarenkova. Photo: Claudia Smith
Daydream ceramic sculpture by Tatsiana Shevarenkova. Photo: Claudia Smith
Sydney-based Belarusian artist Tatsiana Shevarenkova moved to Australia after a career as a fashion stylist in Moscow in 2019.
In recent years, the artist has moved away from fashion to explore her curiosity of more tactile mediums. As a self- taught artist, she founded Cosset Ceramics in 2020 and began exploring sculptural forms with lighting.
For her first solo show at Saint Cloche gallery in Sydney, titled All Forgiving, Tatsiana has created soft yet dynamic organic forms through a range of hand-building techniques.
Moved by the biomorphic sculptors of the mid 20th century, she creates dramatic but utilitarian objects. Finding the form and balance of figurative sculptures is a fine-tuned process – making the weight of the organic and delicate forms to sustain itself can take days with additional days to refine texture, contours, and negative space.
‘It is undeniable that I am influenced by the great biomorphic sculptors, and it is true that each sculpture is biomorphic, but to what extent?’ questions Tatsiana.
All Forgiving draws on discipline balanced with play and exploration, rather than any political, philosophical, or social motivations.
‘There’s something pure to being lured into an object and holding onto first impressions for as long as possible, this kind of sustained enjoyment was channelled into making them.’
For Tatsiana, finding a pocket of meditative space in her practice is important. ‘In this space, I’m relieved from the burden of thought and will - of trying to make or communicate something. Forms begin to take shape when liberated from my own impositions, in this sense, they do not only resemble organic patterns but are the product of something profoundly natural, autonomous, and beyond the capture of language.’
All Forgiving opens at Saint Cloche gallery on Wednesday 16th February until Sunday 27th February.
Abode and Meadow ceramic sculptures by Tatsiana Shevarenkova. Photo: Claudia Smith
Amelia and Equilibrium ceramic sculptures by Tatsiana Shevarenkova. Photo: Claudia Smith
“To me, these soft shapes seem protective, peaceful or sexual. Each sculpture has a character and is in some way influenced by innate femininity that I rarely think about.”
‘It is undeniable that I am influenced by the great biomorphic sculptors, and it is true that each sculpture is biomorphic, but to what extent?’ says Tatsiana Shevarenkova. Photo: Claudia Smith
Thia and The Flower ceramic sculptures by Tatsiana Shevarenkova. Photo: Claudia Smith
All FORGIVING At SAINT CLOCHE
WEDNESDAY 16TH FEBRUARY - SUNDAY 27TH FEBRUARY
37 MacDonald Street, Paddington, Sydney