Nina Gorbenko
Artist Statement
Sculpture
Experiments
Photography
Biography
Artist Statement
Nina Gorbenko is an artist whose journey from the world of poetry and then photography led her to the tactile realm of ceramics, where everything came together - the poetic symbolism, and the visual storytelling. This transition into ceramics and mixed media art was a natural progression, a way to say more with less, to appeal to the emotional or even subconscious self.
The Philosophy
Nina’s art uses language spoken in textures, colors, and forms. The creations are more than mere objects; they are feelings told in clay, meant to resonate with the observer in a tactile way and bring a sense of peace and introspection.
The Inspiration
Nina's work captures the essence of her experiences. Both ceramics and photography are a celebration of the world's varied landscapes and textures, from the subtle interplay of light and shadow reminiscent of her photographic work to the raw, tactile sensations of the earth in sculpture.
The Commitment
Nina is committed to sustainable and ethical artistry. She believes in creating beauty that respects our planet, employing environmentally conscious practices and materials that are as kind to the earth.
ceramics, plaster, yarn
Sculpture
Experiments
This experiment happened in search of the right material, will it be plaster, airdrying clay, or maybe something completely different. Nina ended up with this airdrying clay on stretched canvas and decided to proceed with ceramics.
Currently, Nina is working on the idea of soft power, how it holds everything together, and how even something that is created in fire needs to rely on something delicate and fragile to stay together. She plans to weave pieces of ceramic sculptures together with yarn. The photo in the middle is someone else’s work used here as an example of a technique, two other ones are from the current process.
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Testa Forte #1, 12"8', ceramics
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Alba #2, 14"x14"5', ceramics
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Terra Noctis #3, 11" x 11"5', ceramics
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Testa Forte #7, 11"3' ceramics
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Testa Forte #4, 15" x 12"5', ceramics
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Alba #3, 13"5' x 13", ceramics
Photography
The purpose of Nina’s photography is to immerse the viewer into the atmosphere, to help notice things they were not paying attention to previously - to be present and aware, to see the beauty of the world as it is, with no retouching, no alterations. Nina herself uses photography as a tool for self-reflection, and awareness, but also because it’s plainly painful not to share all the beauty one sees.
Through hundreds of thousands of photos made in the last decade, there is one theme Nina keeps on leaning on, sometimes consciously, but more often, not - reflections. Seeing the world through not only the camera lens but also through windows, mirrors, random reflections on skyscrapers, storefronts, and so before you see the photo it goes through a hall of mirrors: the eye of an artist, the lens, the mirror of the camera, and whatever reflections the environment adds on that, and we need to pay attention, what we actually see.
about the artist
Born and raised in Ukraine, Nina got her master’s degree in journalism and mass communications. That’s when she started to photograph, though her primary occupations for a while were in journalism and the contemporary art business and her main passion was poetry. In 2015 she moved to New York, where after studying screenwriting for a year, she fully moved into photography, starting with a volunteer research position at the Metropolitan Museum’s media department. Through the years she’s been published in Drift Magazine, Vogue, L’Officiel, Marie Claire with many of her work purchased by Drift Magazine, including the cover for Los Angeles issue. Moved to Los Angeles in 2020 and slowly transitioned to sculpture, which is now her primary medium.
Some of the publications:
