Heritage in Bloom, 2020・© Zoya Smirnova
Local Harvest, 2021・© Zoya Smirnova
Red & Red, 2020 (Detail)・© Zoya Smirnova
Zoya
Smirnova
Multidisciplinary Artist
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Eternalising the soul of stillness
Zoya Smirnova’s work is strikingly, almost eerily beautiful.
Inviting us to pause, her timeless images capture the essence of a bygone era, reflecting the sensibilities of the Flemish still life painters she is so inspired by – painters like Jan van Huysum, Rachel Ruysch, and Clara Peeters.
This connection of past and present is grounding, peaceful, still. Through such a delicate approach to photography, Zoya hopes to stir a sense of appreciation for the simple and often overlooked elements of everyday life.
Whether it’s a simple glass, delicate flower, or discarded fruit, each object carries its own potential for storytelling.
Portrait of Zoya Smirnova, 2023・© The Thomas-Ferdinand Gallery
"Through art, I am discovering the beauty within myself and in the world around me."
Journey to artistry
Born in Taganrog, a small town in the South West of Russia, Zoya struggled with family problems and the harsh realities of a post-Soviet upbringing.
Amongst these challenges, Zoya found solace in art, playing with flowers, creating paper dolls, and learning hand embroidery, which became her means of escape into alternate realities.
Zoya’s creative aspirations led her to London, where she studied Fashion Design at The University of Hertfordshire. She graduated to join the Ozwald Boateng design team, and progressed to head the tailoring department at London’s iconic Harrods department store.
With her need for creativity not yet assuaged, Zoya found freedom of expression through cake artistry, photography, and sculpting.
Now fully embracing her identity as an artist, Zoya lives and breathes artistry, refusing to confine herself to a single medium.
Her multifaceted approach keeps her craft dynamic, vibrant, and ever-evolving;
“it allows me to expand my artistic horizons, cross-pollinate ideas, and nurture my ability to adapt and grow”.
A mindful process
Zoya’s childhood experiences have played a significant role in shaping her artistry. They have taught her to appreciate the beauty in simplicity, and the value creativity plays as a means of self-expression.
Introducing her first collection at The Thomas-Ferdinand Gallery, Zoya’s images are a reflection of this deep appreciation for the world around her.
Zoya carefully curates each arrangement by gathering objects from her local area, exploring food and flower stores and markets, to find hidden treasures that others might overlook.
She finds inspiration in the familiar, examining objects in her home with fresh eyes. She draws from collections of beautiful glassware, and incorporates food from her fridge, and flowers from friends’ gardens. Each selection infuses her work with layers of meaning and connection.
Meticulous compositions and thoughtful lighting then bring forth the hidden potential and inherent appeal of these objects, a fitting preservation of such a thoughtful, delicate process.
Yellow & Purple, 2021・© Zoya Smirnova
The English Rose, 2020・© Zoya Smirnova
By showcasing the textures, colours, and forms of these objects in a new light, Zoya invites us to pause, to engage, and to see beyond the surface. She encourages us to appreciate the intricate details, the subtle nuances, and the layered stories that lie within the seemingly mundane.
This sense of artistry reflects a resilience, imagination, and a life-long commitment to self-expression.
Zoya reminds us that that beauty can be found everywhere, if only we allow ourself to slow down, observe, and appreciate the majesty of the ordinary.
Red & Red, 2020 (Detail)・© Zoya Smirnova
Artist works
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