KSENIA SEMIROVA

Hand Embroidery Artist, UK based
Textile Designer

ARTISTIC STATEMENT

My job is to perform magic. I believe such a term describes perfectly the outcome got of the manipulating such a plain supplies as threads, beads, tiny plastic or metal pieces, and investigating cultural, historical, environmental, social and political contexts. In uncovering, enhancing, interweaving such notions, and blending with the personal way of seeing, I am trying to perform the complex, creative result.

Using a variety of hand embroidery techniques — Luneville, pearl embroidery, goldwork, etc. — I create personal artistic outcome through observation and the mix of various contexts. I aim to evoke emotions: from curiosity, that leads to the question “How was it done?”, to happiness. I strongly believe that such craft as embroidery benefits both the creator, through the ability to share the level of artistry, and the audience, that getting truly unique piece of work with part of maker’s personality.

My research and creative process involve a balance between past and present. I am particularly interested in the exploring and experimenting with heritage. I aim to both preserving traditions and seeking alternative contemporary interpretation for ideas discovered in the past. Above all, my goal is reflecting socio-cultural context and visualising personal interpretation of such processes through my craft.

BIO

I’m Ksenia, a Hove based embroidery artist, who came to embroidery as a mature person with the complete understanding that this is the only suitable career path. So that is the reason I quit industrial design, which is my original background. I realized that creating mass-production didn’t suit me at all, and concept design (one of my favorite areas) often stays as prototypes and renders. And I aim to make real products that bring happiness and a bit of magic for real people.

That’s how I ended up with MA Textiles at the University of Brighton, which I graduated from with Distinction in 2022. At the University, I had a chance to combine my previous knowledge and experience with both interest in visual research and exploration of Russian pearl embroidery—national ancient technique that has been almost lost in XX century. My goal is not only to preserve the traditional approach but also to experiment and give it contemporary interpretation through mixing it with various embroidery methods (for example, Luneville embroidery that I practice as well).

EXHIBITIONS

2024

October, 2024 | No Place Like Home, Queen Street Gallery Neath
September, 2024 |Woven, Fox Yard Studio Stowmarket
September-October, 2024 | The Design Nation Presents…, Hub Sleaford
July-September, 2024 | Atelier OPEN 2024, Atelier Beside the Sea Brighton
July, 2024 | A Blacket of Stars, Fronteer Gallery Sheffield
June, 2024 | The Helvet Art Fair, The Roseate Hotel Reading
March, 2024 | Contemporary Textile Fair, Landmark Art Center London

2023

December, 2023 | Textile Fantasies, Open Gallery Halifax
November, 2023 – January, 2024 | English Riviera Winter Open 2023, Artizan Gallery Torquay
October, 2023 | Art Expo Ljubljana, Slovenia
October, 2023 | Artizan Women’s Exhibition, Artizan Gallery Torquay
September, 2023 | The Great Sublime, Fox Yard Studio Stowmarket
August-September, 2023 | Stronger Together Summer 2023, Women United Art movement
August, 2023 | Folksy Summer Exhibition
August, 2023 | Summer, Open Gallery Halifax
July, 2023 | Small Textile, Fronteer Gallery Sheffield
May-June, 2023 | Urban Jungle, Fronteer Gallery Sheffield
May, 2023 | Spring, Open Gallery Halifax

Stitch by Stitch Exhibition Online

2022

July, 2022 | Truth to Materials, Ditchling Museum of Art+Craft
June, 2022 | Graduate Show, University of Brighton

AWARDS

December, 2023 | 7th FLOWER International Juried Art Competition, Teravarna (TALENT PRIZE AWARD)
March, 2023 | The Stitch Festival, London (Evening Wear Award)
February, 2023 Colour Your Life, NEC Birmingham (Shortlisted Artist)