Nadya Likhogrud, a sculptress

While studying at the institute, I could suddenly go to Chistye Prudy (an old picturesque district in Moscow — trans.) instead of attending lectures. I loved wandering there, especially to pass through those beautiful gates into the alley where the Lancere house is. Back then I didn’t realize this would be the exact place where I will rent the workshop of my dreams 5 years later.

When I was picturing the studio in my head, I was dreaming of a tallest ceiling, a large window and lots of light. So, I had no doubts when I found that option. As a bonus, I was getting a wonderful panoramic view to the western side with an opportunity to watch a special sunset every evening (which actually was kind of an obstacle for productive work). During the first days in the studio, I could spend several hours sitting and staring into the window. And yes, you have to pay for everything eventually, and I had my payments done when I had to move a sculpture or some clay up to the 5th floor with the highest stairs and no elevator in the building.

One of the first orders produced in this workshop was a lion’s head relief for a private kindergarten. Before that I was working in the tiniest studio near the institute and I had no opportunity to create something large. I remember working on a character for a long time and wandering around the city center to get some inspiration during the breaks. The lion’s head is now bronze and standing where it’s meant to be, and I still have a gypsum form which my friends are always asking for. But I still can’t give it away, since we got so tied to each other.

Now I’m interested in the childhood theme. I’m looking for the images that will help me express the tension, realization, understanding, depth, dreaming, fear and shivering. This is going to be a long series “When I grow up”, it shows an image of a boy during the most mysterious and enigmatic, complex and wonderful time of growing up and understanding himself.

Lots of works end up left in the form of a plasticine, not evolving into a finished artwork material. Sculpture is a long and difficult process. To have a thing sculptured in a soft material is just the first stage.