Exhibitions

Online exhibition of ceramics of the Firsov’s family
“Ceramist’s family has no end”
from the series “Laureates of the Regional Award
in Architecture, Heraldry, Vexillology, and Decorative
and Applied Arts named after Yakiv Pauchenko”

    An online exhibition of ceramics of the Firsov’s family “Ceramist’s family has no end” is presented within the art project of a series of art exhibitions “Laureates of the Regional Award in Architecture, Heraldry, Vexillology, and Decorative and Applied Art named after Yakiv Pauchenko” to the anniversary of the outstanding architect Yakiv Pauchenko. The project is aimed at popularization of creative work of artists – laureates of the award in the nomination “decorative and applied arts” and presupposes the organization of personal exhibitions and publication of themed booklets.
    The family of the artists in ceramics, the married couple Mykola and Nelia Firsov, and their sons Oleksandr and Serhii is a unique phenomenon in the art life of Kropyvnytskyi. With their creative work, they asset the ideas of revival and implementation of the ancient art of ceramics into modern life. In 1991, a documentary was shot about the Firsov dynasty and the individual ceramics studio. The film was shown on the national channels UT-1 and UT-2, and them on the all-union “Ostankino”.
    Firsov Mykola Ivanovych was born on November 18, 1945, in the town of Kirovohrad (now Kropyvnytskyi). Studied in Kirovohrad Children’s Art School (now Art School named after O.O.Osmerkin). Graduated from Odesa State Art College named after M.B.Hrekov, the Department of Art Ceramics (1970). Worked in Kirovohrad art and industrial workshops of the Art fund of Ukraine (1970-1994). A member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine (1994), an artist of decorative and applied arts. A laureate of the Regional Award in Architecture, Heraldry, Vexillology, and Decorative and Applied Arts named after Yakiv Pauchenko in the nomination “decorative and applied arts” (2005). In his creative work, prefers classic forms of professional ceramic, being guided by the principles of beauty, functionality, and constructiveness. The characteristic feature is a reference to the image of contemporary, different areas of life and living of a city dweller. In his compositional panels recreates his contemplations over the sense of existence, town folklore, history of Ukrainian people, and beauty of nature.
    Firsova Nelia Fedorivna was born on May 20, 1947 in the village of Paliivka, Mala Vyska district, the Kirovohrad Oblast. Studied in the evening classes of Odesa Art School. Graduated from Odesa State Art College named after M.B.Hrekov, the Department of Art Ceramics (1974). Worked in Kirovohrad art and industrial workshops of the Art fund of Ukraine (1970-1994). A member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine (1994), an artist of decorative and applied arts. Merited Artist of Ukraine (2015), a laureate of the Regional Award in Architecture, Heraldry, Vexillology, and Decorative and Applied Arts named after Yakiv Pauchenko in the nomination “decorative and applied arts” (2007). Creative contribution is diverse – from monumental decorative ceramic compositions to figured dinnerware (wall plates). Works have strongly marked individual art traits, in particular, aesthetic exquisiteness, elegance, classic and traditional style in the use of the materials. A special place in the creative work is given to plot composition based on Ukrainian folklore.
    Firsov Serhii Mykolaiovych was born on February 19, 1971 in the town of Kirovohrad (now Kropyvnytskyi). Studied in Kirovohrad Children’s Art School (now Art School named after O.O.Osmerkin). Graduated from Odesa State Art College named after M.B.Hrekov, the Department of Art Ceramics (1990). Worked in Kirovohrad art and industrial workshops of the Art fund of Ukraine (1990-1994). A member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine (1994), an artist of decorative and applied arts. A laureate of the Regional Award in Architecture, Heraldry, Vexillology, and Decorative and Applied Arts named after Yakiv Pauchenko in the nomination “decorative and applied arts” (2009). The creative work is marked with uniqueness and distinctive character. The sculpture compositions represent the author’s contemplations about the sense of life. The works are noted by the bright language of artistic symbols.
    Firsov Oleksandr Mykolaiovych was born on February 19, 1971 in the town of Kirovohrad (now Kropyvnytskyi). Studied in Kirovohrad Children’s Art School (now Art School named after O.O.Osmerkin). Graduated from Odesa State Art College named after M.B.Hrekov, the Department of Art Ceramics (1990). Worked in Kirovohrad art and industrial workshops of the Art fund of Ukraine (1990-1994). A member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine (1994), an artist of decorative and applied arts. A laureate of the Regional Award in Architecture, Heraldry, Vexillology, and Decorative and Applied Arts named after Yakiv Pauchenko in the nomination “decorative and applied arts” (2011). In his creative work prefers new technological searches and experiments in the combining of materials, clay, and glass, in particular. Interested in creating ceramic miniatures.
    Although the artists work in the same studio, each of them has its unique art style. Their works decorate interiors of the following hotel complexes Evropa, Turist, restaurant Maksym, front of the store Vizyt on V.Chornovola Str. in the town of Kropyvnytskyi. The works are kept in O.O.Osmerkin Art-Memorial Museum, regional Local History and Art Museums (now the Museum of Arts) in the town of Kropyvnytsyi, in private collections in Ukraine and abroad.
    The artists participate in the national art exhibitions. Vernissages of their works have been organized in O.O.Osmerkin Art-Memorial Museum many times – “Exhibition of Ceramics of the Firsov family” (1995), personal exhibition of Serhii Firsov “Breath of clay” (1997), as well as in the Regional Art Museum (now the Museum of Arts).
The exposition of the current exhibition consists of works from the museum collection “Modern Ukrainian Visual Art” and the author’s collections. Each item is unique, distinctive, and brightly reflects the peculiarities of the creative style of the talented artists. The original addition to the exhibition is unique photos of the artists in the ceramic studio.


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Poster of the exhibition

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Ceramic studio of the Firsov family
1991

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The Firsov family – Mykola Ivanovych, Nelia Fedorivna
and their sons Oleksandr and Serhii
Mykola Firsov in the studio
and while conducting a workshop

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During the opening of the exhibition “Exhibition of Ceramics of the Firsov family” in O.O.Osmerkin Art-Memorial Museum
November 23, 1995
In the photo from left to right: Nelia Firsova, Serhii Firsov, Oleksandr Firsov with his wife Svitlana
Serhii Firsov during the opening of the personal exhibition of works “Breath of clay” in O.O.Osmerkin Art-Memorial Museum
February 6, 1997
Opening of the exhibitions in the Regional Art Museum
(now the Museum of Arts)

Kropyvnytskyi. 2010, 2015

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Mykola Firsov – a laureate of the Regional Award in Architecture, Heraldry, Vexillology, and Decorative and Applied Arts named after Yakiv Pauchenko (2005) Nelia Firsova – a laureate of the Regional Award in Architecture, Heraldry, Vexillology, and Decorative and Applied Arts named after Yakiv Pauchenko (2007)  Laureates of the Regional Award in Architecture, Heraldry, Vexillology, and Decorative and Applied Arts named after Yakiv Pauchenko in 2009 – artist Serhii Firsov and architect Olena Hrudachova in the Regional Universal Scientific Library named after D.I.Chyzhevskyi The head of Kirovohrad Regional Council Mykola Kovalchuk, while handing Oleksandr Firsov the Regional Award in Architecture, Heraldry, Vexillology, and Decorative and Applied Arts named after Yakiv Pauchenko in 2011 in O.O.Osmekrin Art-Memorial Museum

Works by Mykola Firsov, a member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine,
a laureate of the Regional Award in Architecture, Heraldry, Vexillology,
and Decorative and Applied Arts named after Yakiv Pauchenko (2005)

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Lake
1999
Clay, glazing
Diameter
- 37 cm
Our planet
2010
Clay, glazing
Diameter - 40 cm
Hunters.
2011
Terracotta, enamel,
acrylic

26õ30 cm
Wedding
2011
Terracotta, dye,
acrylic

46õ31 cm
Old town
2012
Terracotta, ceramic
dye, acrylic

42õ35 cm
Memories
2013
Terracotta, enamel,
acrylic

Diameter - 38 cm

Works by Nelia Firsova, Merited Artist of Ukraine,
a laureate of the Regional Award in Architecture, Heraldry, Vexillology,
and Decorative and Applied Arts named after Yakiv Pauchenko (2007)

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Sitting hen
1995
Terracotta, glazing
Diameter - 41 cm


 
Rest
2008
Terracotta,
ceramic dye,
acrylic

65õ43 cm
My village
2010
Terracotta,
ceramic dye,
acrylic

Diameter - 43 cm
Late rowanberry
2010
Terracotta,
ceramic dye

53õ28 cm
Tea for two
2010
Clay, glazing
Diameter - 42 cm

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Sun, peer to
the window

2011
Terracotta, glazing,
acrylic

56õ43 cm
 
Where is the milk?
2011
Terracotta, wood,
enamel

38õ52 cm
Autumn collage
2011
Terracotta, enamel,
fabric, glass

54õ40 cm
Ceramist’s family
has no end

2012
Terracotta, enamel,
acrylic, fabric

82õ38 cm
At the gathering
2014
Terracotta,
ceramic dye,
acrylic

39õ49 cm

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Indian summer
2014
Terracotta, enamel,
acrylic, fabric

64õ38 cm
March cats
2014
Modeling, watercolors,
acrylic

85õ48 cm
Ceramist’s family
has no end

2014
Clay, glazing
îáæèã
60õ30 cm
Going to
the trade-fair

2015
Terracotta, enamel,
acrylic

65õ30 cm
Wake up
2018
Terracotta, enamel,
acrylic

59õ36 cm

Works by Serhii Firsov, a member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine,
a laureate of the Regional Award in Architecture, Heraldry, Vexillology,
and Decorative and Applied Arts named after Yakiv Pauchenko (2009)

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Opposition
1994
Clay, chamotte
24,5õ33õ9 cm
Family
1994
Clay, chamotte
62õ20; 48õ23; 10õ11 cm
Elephant
1995
Clay, chamotte
12õ14õ9 cm
A final word
1995
Ceramic, enamels
Diameter - 30 cm
 (The Museum of Arts)
Power of life
2008
Ceramic, colored
glass, enamels

30õ45 cm
 (The Museum of Arts)

Works by Oleksandr Firsov, a member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine
a laureate of the Regional Award in Architecture, Heraldry, Vexillology,
and Decorative and Applied Arts named after Yakiv Pauchenko (2011)

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Set of decorative
vases “Mercedes”

1995
Clay, glazing
max-4,5õ41õ20 cm
min-11õ25õ10 cm
Flowers
1997
Ceramic, glass,
enamel

39õ25 cm
Still life
1998
Clay, glass
30,5õ28,5 cm
Mood
2006
Maiolica, colored
glass, smalt,
enamel

40õ31 cm
Boats
2011
Terracotta, enamel,
colored glass

23õ43 cm