Russian Construction features Russian nesting dolls painted by local and international artists

Russian nesting dolls, or matryoshka, are one of the most popular Russian national crafts. Hollow wooden dolls open to reveal a series of increasingly smaller dolls within. Russian constructivism was an invention of the Russian avant-garde that found adherents across the continent. Constructivist artists (Alexander Rodchenko, Liubov Popova, Vladimir Tatlin, Kasimir Malevich) tried to engage the full ideas of modern art on their own terms. They made art that was mostly three dimensional, and they often produced work that was connected to their socialist beliefs. The two art forms are linked, if loosely, in Russian Construction, a show and silent auction of matryoshka dolls created by multiple artists. “It’s more just about supporting local artists and doing something in a non-traditional way,” says show curator and Bird Dog Video co-owner Jolie Bird.
    Bird explains that since opening the store in 2003, she wanted to host an art event. Painting matryoshkas was, for her, a personal hobby, and after seeing an online collection of nesting dolls, she envisioned displaying a small collection within her store — long lines of the colourful, rounded dolls huddled atop free-standing shelves.
    Initially, the collection was to feature 15 to 20 dolls, but the response from the art community was so positive that the number of participants has since grown to 39. The show’s artists include ManWoman, Geoff McFetridge, Chad Van Gaalen, Sarah Holtom and Fast Forward illustrator Genevieve Simms. Each artist was given a blank nesting doll and free rein to adorn them in any fashion. “The only thing I asked of the artists,” says Bird, “was that the dolls all be able to fit back together. They all look amazing and are extremely different looking. There’s a lot of variety.” ManWoman’s doll is comprised of the animated nuns that appear in his paintings. VanGaalen’s are all vaginas.
    The matryoshkas will be available for purchase through a silent auction the night of the show. All money raised will be donated to Animal Rescue Fund (ARF). Bird is ecstatic about this, saying “dogs are very welcome and loved in our store.” For those attending the show, it is a wonderful and affordable way to jump-start your art collection and help promote emerging and local artists.