Ivan Kravchenko

Restorer

©Rita Korsika

©Ivan Botvinkin

From robotics to ceramics

Ivan founded an art residence on lake Baikal
He makes ceramic patches that cover potholes on roads
He is passionate about teaching his craft

Ivan Kravchenko studied robotics and mechatronics at university, but sitting through long mathmatics classes he would draw in his notebook. So he left technical school and enrolled in two art courses instead. He became fascinated by painting, but his new connections led him to his first job at a pottery workshop. Since then Ivan has gone a long way and is now famous in Irkutsk not only for his ceramics, but also for founding a recreation centre and art residence on lake Baikal called Ustie. It is a place where artisans and artists can implement their projects and tourists can see masters work and learn from them in workshops.

Interview

©Rita Korsika

©Rita Korsika

What was your first job at a pottery studio?: At first I mixed raw materials, poured the mixture in casts and loaded firing kilns. One year later I was given a personal project – a cocklestove. I had to master drying, engobing and glazing techniques. That was the moment I fell in love with ceramics.
When did you start working on your own?: It was in 2015, I started receiving commissions and exhibiting my works at local galleries. Since then I believe I’ve mastered my craft, I even have apprentices now, people say I am a good teacher.
Do you use any special techniques?: I admire raku, a Japanese firing technique. It makes three elements of the process – the master, the material and the moment – equally important. I add golden “birthmarks” to hidden spots of my products to make them one-of-a-kind.
Is there something people don’t know about you?: Back in my technical university years I showed my art sketches to an expert and the feedback was: "your doodles aren’t bad, but maybe consider ceramics instead of art”. I just recalled this story recently, but it could be a long-forgotten prophecy.

Ivan Kravchenko is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2000