Ekaterina Borisovna Ilyinskaya
Ekaterina Ilyinskaya began drawing at an early age. Since the age of three, she has considered herself an artist. In 1983, she graduated from the Correspondence People's University of the Arts, Department of Easel Painting and Graphics, and at the same time studied under the icon-painting master Alexander Lyakin. Currently, she creates and restores icons for Orthodox churches and private individuals. Together with her husband Vyacheslav Volkov, she teaches 'Icon painting and the basics of iconography' at the Correspondence People's University of the Arts. In 1997, she was awarded the medal of the Russian Federation 'In Memory of the 850th Anniversary of Moscow.'
Works in collections
Her works can be found in central churches of Moscow, in the central cathedral of the city of Yoshkar-Ola, and in churches of the Ivanovo region. They are also in private collections, including that of the Mayor of Moscow, Yu. M. Luzhkov, as well as in private collections in Germany, the USA, Canada, and other countries.
Exhibitions and auctions
1997 - Gift for the Anniversary of Moscow. Maly Manezh, Moscow; 1997 - Souvenirs, food products and printed materials for the 850th anniversary of Moscow. The City Hall building, Moscow; 1997 - Moscow Debut. All-Russian Exhibition Center, Pavilion Culture, Moscow; 1997 - Orthodox Book and Church Art. State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow; 1998 - Exhibition 'Women on the threshold of the 21st century'. VVC, Moscow; 1998 - Christmas readings. Parliamentary Center at Tsvetnoy Boulevard, Moscow.
Author about himself
The icon carries the Word of God. It transforms our souls, opens up a new world, and connects us with holy favorites.
Critic
Ekaterina Ilyinskaya has dedicated her work to icon painting and the restoration of icons. She reveals herself as a person who has thoroughly studied the secrets of the craft and constantly works on improving her mastery. Thanks to contact with ancient monuments, Ekaterina uses the millennia-old experience and traditions of Russian icon painting in her work. Having such a strong foundation, combined with her own talent, she creates beautiful works filled with life. The icons painted by Ekaterina amaze with their spiritual power. In everyone who carefully examines them, the best human qualities awaken.
The creation of these beautiful images is aided by the restoration archive of photographs and sketches from ancient samples she has worked on over many years. This fascinating, rich archive makes an invaluable contribution to the study and preservation of our heritage.
Ekaterina's work in the preservation and restoration of ancient monuments of Russian culture deserves great attention. Thanks to deep knowledge of icon-painting traditions, canons, artistic talent, and restoration skills, rare works that occupy an important place in our culture acquire new life. The icons restored by Ekaterina do not lose their ancient charm and originality. She has a fine sense of the work's style and, adopting the manner of the author's writing, authentically recreates lost fragments, which merge so organically with the original monument that later they can only be discovered by photographs taken before restoration.
Currently, Ekaterina devotes much attention to family icons depicting chosen saints of family members. The tradition of family icons has a centuries-old history, connects the family, strengthens family roots, and enriches a person spiritually. It is hoped that in the near future such icons will be present in every home—and in this wonderful revival of spirituality, Ekaterina and all members of her creative workshop participate.
Ekaterina Ilyinskaya's significant role as a master icon painter and restorer in preserving our spiritual heritage and restoring Moscow as the Orthodox capital is notable.
Bibliography
Magazine 'Were Moscow', November 1996, pp. 10, 11; Magazine 'Science and Religion', No.5, 1997, pp. 27, 33; Magazine 'Truth and Life', No.11, 1997, reproduction on the cover. Ilyinskaya E., Volkov V. 'Icon', magazine 'Art Council', No.1, 1998.
Works 18
