Irene Sheri

Irene Sheri was born in Ukraine in 1968 and is one of the brightest examples of a new breed of intercultural artists emerging from Europe. An accomplished figurative and landscape artist, Sheri has drawn inspiration from Boticelli, Chagall, Kandinsky, Picasso, and Goya, with Cezanne and Matisse making the deepest impact on her. Inspired by the “Russian Expressionistic Movement”, Sheri has become a master of contrasts of light and shadow. Like Cezanne, Matisse, and Gauguin before her, she has embraced the use of color. If her objective is not reached, she begins anew, until the desired result is achieved. Her paintings express her love of life; a toast to its wonder and beauty. Sheri’s talent and style were recognized at a global level in 2001 when she was awarded Russia’s highest artistic honor on its 50th anniversary - the “State Award for Outstanding Achievement in Art”, naming her the “Best and Brightest” young artist in Russia. This particular award is presented to one woman each year for excellence in the arts. Sheri studied at the Belgorod Art School for gifted children, and at 15, became valedictorian of both her junior high and art school. From there, she entered Grecov College of Art in Odessa, and in her first year, won a citywide juried exhibition and was honored as “Young Artist of the Year”. Sheri would go on to win 14 juried exhibitions in the next two years and receive a special “Excellence in Art” award from the Mayor. At age 17, Sheri entered the Serov School of Fine Art in St. Petersburg, Russia. All of the paintings and sketches she created during her three years of study are now used by the faculty as examples of brilliant academic achievement. In 1990, Irene entered the St. Petersburg Academy of Art, one of the most prestigious art schools in the world. In 2000, her graduation artwork, “Early Snow”, was accepted into the permanent collection of the Museum of Academy Art when she was named valedictorian. The oil painting also received the “Russian State Award for Outstanding Achievement in Art or Entertainment”, the highest honor an artist can receive in Russia. Her works are now in many important collections in France, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Russia, Mexico, South Africa, Canada, and the US, as well as many private collections.