A Christmas exhibition organized by the Guild of Doll Makers has opened at the House of Artists in the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The exhibition showcases amazing works that astonish with their resemblance to real people. Natalia Voloshina, the organizer of the exhibition, tells 24.kg how the masters call themselves "Plushkins," where they get materials for their dolls, and how they create images inspired by Russian imperial portraits.
As if Alive
Climbing to the second floor, visitors enter a magical world of dolls, as if transported into a pre-New Year fairy tale. In a cozy art space, dolls made from various materials are displayed, but they all share one feature — an incredible resemblance to real people. Looking into their eyes, one gets the impression that they are asking the viewer, "How do you live in this transient world?"
At the entrance, the dolls greet visitors, while the exhibition organizer and head of the Guild of Doll Makers of the Kyrgyz Republic, Natalia Voloshina, shares her experience. Previously, she worked in a puppet theater and after the collapse of the Soviet Union began teaching children the art of toy making and making them herself.
Materials from the "Plushkins"
“I sew dresses for dolls from scraps that I receive from acquaintances or find at flea markets. Each fabric has its own story; even if it has been washed and cleaned, it still has its own soul,” shares Natalia Voloshina.
She demonstrates a teddy bear — a Christmas ornament made from a piece of old upholstery fabric: “This piece was given to me by a friend; it was the upholstery of an old armchair that her mother once sat in.”
In the collection, various techniques for making dolls related to decorative and applied arts are presented. The masters, who call themselves "Plushkins," collect boxes with scraps of fabric, stockings, wire, beads, and other small items that are usually thrown away.
The Guild of Doll Makers has been functioning for over ten years, uniting professionals and enthusiasts.
“We are a creative union of people passionate about dolls. We try to organize exhibitions whenever possible because dolls need to be shown to the audience. This allows us to see our shortcomings and improve our skills. Our motto is ‘You can engage in creativity at any age,’” says the head of the guild.
According to her, creating dolls is a rest for the soul and a meditation, as well as an opportunity to develop fine motor skills and receive positive emotions.
Doll makers are simultaneously jewelers, designers, colorists, and tailors: “Visitors come to us and say they also want to create such dolls. We always respond: ‘Please, just don’t be afraid.’
Dolls with Faces from Playing Cards
Inna Konyukhova, a master, worked for two years on a collection of dolls inspired by the characters of playing cards in the "Russian Style."
These are historical figures who attended the ball in 1903 in honor of the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty, and in 1905, cards were drawn from their photographs that were used in the USSR.
Inna Konyukhova
By profession an ecologist, Inna decided to try her hand at doll making during the pandemic. She needed something to do at home, and she chose this direction. All the fabrics for the dolls she buys at discounts at one of the markets in Bishkek.
An Angel from a Physicist
Maria Alekhnovich, an optical physicist from Kara-Balta, is a true doll enthusiast but chose to create angels. For one of the exhibitions, she made a 60-centimeter figure of Cupid from papier-mâché, using her son as a model.
A regular visitor to the exhibitions was delighted with the angel but could not buy it due to its high price. She came every year just to admire it.
Over time, the angel's hand was damaged, and that girl, as usual, came to see it and asked to hug it. In the end, Maria Alekhnovich gifted her the angel. According to the masters, they have never seen such happiness on a person's face.
Creative Chaos at the Exhibition
Natalia Kopytova, a doll master, uses a variety of materials in her works. She is ready to share her secrets with those who want to learn how to create unusual toys. Natalia has an education in architecture and construction and is well acquainted with art. She began to take a serious interest in dolls 13 years ago.
“Every woman has several pairs of old stockings. I saw on the internet how dolls are made from them, and it intrigued me. I tried it, and it hooked me. Later, I realized that I could not express the emotions I wanted to put into the faces of the toys with textile. So I started looking for other methods and techniques for creating from papier-mâché, and then I bought special doll plastic,” says Natalia.
Her collection "Thoughts" impresses with attention to detail: “The idea was born in 2022 against the backdrop of global upheavals when many did not know how to move forward. I also had many thoughts and doubts in my head. With this collection, I wanted to reflect the chaos in the human mind, literally. Each figurine has its own unique nationality.”
The 'Cunning Sheep' with a Sly Grin
Yulia Khizhnyakova, a visitor to the exhibition, saw the poster and went up to the hall to admire the works.
“I also engage in crafting and sewing, so I immediately noticed how carefully the details are worked out. It is correctly written here: ‘Do not touch with hands!’ because you want to touch and examine each work,” she shares her impressions.
The girl expressed regret that the exhibition is taking place in a small hall, as each work needs to be viewed from all sides.
“The one that stood out the most to me was the ‘cunning sheep.’ Notice how one seems ordinary, while the other has a sly grin. Here, each item has its own mood and soul. We are used to seeing uniform things, like on social media, but here, when confronted with each work, you want to stop and admire,” she concluded.
The exhibition will be open until December 20 at: Chuy Avenue, 108, 2nd floor, "Asia" gallery. Working hours: Monday to Saturday, from 12:00 to 16:00, free entry.
