Natalia Kapchuk
Natalia Kapchuk (Russian: Наталья Капчук; born on March 11, 1984 in Yekaterinburg, Russia) is an artist, philanthropist, art collector and environmentalist. She is based in London, UK.
Natalia Kapchuk | |
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Наталья Капчук | |
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| Born | 11 March 1984 Ekaterinburg, Russia |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Occupation | Artist |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Website | kapchukart |
Biography
From early childhood, Kapchuk took an interest in art and at the age of six, Natalia began to make ceramic mini-sculptures for sale at local art fairs in Yekaterinburg. She was inspired to work in art studios by her mother, an artist, and sculptor. She gradually learned the basics of sculpting in ceramic. Children’s art school became the next stage in her young artist’s career, where she studied academic drawing, painting, composition and the history of art. Kapchuk received her B.A. from the Urals State University where she studied at the Faculty of International Relations (Yekaterinburg, Russia). She left Russia in 2007, seeking to apply her talents and creative abilities, eventually turning her attention to the art business and creating artworks in her own studio in Dubai, UAE.
Natalia Kapchuk also continued to improve her art skills in mixed media and painting. In 2017, She studied mixed media and painting at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design (London, UK) and then at the Chelsea College of Arts (London, UK).
Preferring to work in mixed media, Natalia started combining the technique of collage with painting. Her "Political leaders"[1] series of works explores global trends in economics and politics, representing silhouettes of presidents and heads of state on their national flags. By featuring symbols such as guns, rifles, the Star of David, an upside-down statue of Liberty, the peace sign or Victory hand emoji, the artist reveals associative chains of contemporary society and highlights a tone of political rhetoric in the mass media.
Eco Art
Being an eco-oriented person and passionate traveler, Natalia started to pay attention to environmental concerns and ecological problems in her art. “The Lost Planet”[2] series of works is devoted to such issues as global warming, climate change, environmental damage; air, water, and land pollution, polar ice melting, coral bleaching, deforestation, wildfires, ozone depletion, species extinction, and many others.
In her work, she experiments by using natural elements (tree bark, sand, stones, crystals, fermented moss, dried flowers) and industrial materials such as polymers, resin, resi-crete, diamond dust, gilding, metal chips, and plastic. Some single-use plastics such as recycled materials are featured in artworks’ bases using resin poured into a round mould.[3]
Other work
Kapchuk was a leading actress in the TV series Meet the Russians by Fox TV. The show was aired on BSkyB in 2013 and then across Europe and America.[4] She acted and co-produced a movie of Maeve Murphy "Taking Stock", a "Bonnie and Clyde" inspired contemporary comedy-drama starting Kelly Brook.
As a philanthropist and an art ambassador of the Parliamentary Society of Arts, Fashion and Sport (UK), Natalia Kapchuk continues to draw attention to important environmental issues affecting the future of the planet. She travels extensively around the world, becoming inspired by the beauty of nature, and exploring the environmental challenges and negative impact of industrial activities. Kapchuk organizes cleanup actions in the Mediterranean Sea, and collaborates with environmental movements and organizations to preserve nature and save ecosystems around the world.
Exhibitions
- 2019 London Contemporary, The Line Gallery, London, UK
- 2019 Consciousness, Anima Mundi International Art Festival, Venice, Italy
Awards
- 2020 Winner of the nomination "Outstanding contribution to international art and culture", UWILL Award, London, UK
- 2019 International Michelangelo Art Prize 2019 for "The planet made of gold" artwork, Rome, Italy
References
- "Political leaders". series of works.
- "The Lost Planet". series of works.
- "Eco Art of Natalia Kapchuk". Jejune Magazine. 28 February 2020.
- "Meet the Russians: young, rich and living in Britain". The Times. 2 September 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2015.