As a multidisciplinary artist, Irina Salmina experiments with various materials and mediums, while photography also plays an important role in her creative practice. With her growing interest in ceramics, making clay pieces and working with glazes led her to sculpt natural stones found by the rivers.
Her works are highly intuitive, with the subconscious playing an unexplored and mysterious role. They reflect on what is visible and invisible, physical and spiritual. Salmina began to use her creative process to decipher the inner and outer worlds through shapes, textures, patterns, and symbols. Her artistic practice became an adventure beyond the known and a profound philosophical exploration.
© Courtesy of the artist
Which place do you currently call home and where do you work on your projects?
I live and work in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. I’m an experimental artist working with different materials and media. Currently, I work between two studios: ceramic studio/photo studio in the city center near Central Station, and a home studio where I work with stones, mostly outdoors.
Do you have a favourite place in your area where you like to relax and linger?
Being in nature and close to water charges my batteries the most. Now I live almost outside of the city, there is a river just a 5 minutes walk. I go there often. A whole new chapter in my creative practice started from that river.
To clear my head and relax, sometimes to think, I usually go to a lake, we have a couple of beautiful ones in the city Turtle lake and Lisi lake, surrounded by beautiful landscapes. There are places to have a lunch or takeaways for hiking around. I prefer long meditative walks around for 2-3 hours. It helped me a lot in developing an ability to contemplate and notice beauty in everything.
© Photo: Hongbin on Unsplash
Are there any urgent political issues or problems in your region?
To tell the truth, I’m pretty far removed from politics.
In your opinion, what has developed well in the last 5 years—and what has not?
Building and construction have been and still are massive. The public transport system is improving every year. Many small and big manufacturers have appeared on the market in food/wine, crafts and fashion industries, working for local market and for export. There is a noticeable trend in increasing organic food consumption, which signifies a positive shift towards healthier, more sustainable future.
The hospitality sector has grown with lots of tourist coming. The growth has its consequences too: higher prices for rent, property and heavy traffic, lack of parking spaces and decreased air quality in the city. People have started to choose living outside the city more, consume and produce more organic products and being more aware about healthy living and wellbeing. Natural wines made in ancient Georgian traditional way in „qvevri“, large clay amphoras buried in the ground, experiencing a resurgence through lots of small family wineries producing high quality artisan wines presented in local and international festivals.
© Daniel Newman, Unsplash
© Nick Night, Unsplash
Do you know a hidden gem when it comes to local manufacturers—whether it’s arts and crafts, sustainable products or food?
Udabno project: organic production and eco-innovations are the leading directions. Healthy products, zero waste production, and a lower impact on the environment.
My Sister: social enterprise empowering women by giving them employment opportunities, with a focus on rural areas of Georgia.
Dediko: tailoring studio – social enterprise run by single mothers.
Temi: social awareness / sustainability – producers of organic food, juices, food/tourism by severely challenged people.
Ikorta Enamel Jewelry studio: social enterprise located in the Tserovani IDP Settlement.
Parki ar minda: an eco-educational project aiming to reduce waste in Georgia.
Is there anything particularly innovative in your region? Also in comparison to other places you have already visited?
In my opinion, reduced paperwork, centralized systems, and a low level of bureaucracy are among the things that many foreigners appreciate about Georgia. Starting a business or renewing a document can be resolved on the same day.
Do you have a secret restaurant tip that you would like to share with us?
I don’t know about unnoticed restaurants in the city or region, in recent years I visit them less. But for sure I have my favourite place by the Black Sea. It is a restaurant in a cosy hotel „Simple Pleasures“ by black magnetic sands in Caprovani village, surrounded by pine trees. Its name says everything! Mostly wild and empty beach with no bars and loud music around to enjoy silence and stay away from the crowd. When I need to have a soulful rest after hard work I go only there! Restaurant has high class dishes from different cuisines with pasta unexpectedly better than in Italy. The owner himself is very passionate about cooking and carefully creates the menu and even makes some cheese himself. Truly amazing friendly atmosphere that feels like home.
© Simple Pleasures
© Simple Pleasures
Is there a local shop whose products are only available in your region?
I don’t like hypermarkets. I prefer to visit small shops, and my favourite ones are Turkish and Iranian shops. I love to cook for myself and choose a healthy diet, they have products I use daily. Two of my favourites are by my studio.
What are your 3 favourite apps that you use every day and couldn’t live without?
Here are my top 4:
– Youtube
– Duolingo
Do you have any favourite newspapers or online magazines? And how do you keep up to date with politics or social and cultural issues?
I don’t read any. Social media and personal research give me enough information. I try to filter information and not to be overloaded with excessive information that I do not need. Creativity needs space and clarity…
© Alexkom000, 2024-05-23 Lisi Lake 6, modified, CC BY 4.0
Imagine you could be mayor for a year—what would you change?
I would start with a recycling program, as it’s not happening here right now. I would begin with social and educational campaigns starting from kindergartens, schools etc., to change a mindset about its importance.
One last question: If you could choose another place to live—regardless of financial or time constrains—which one would you choose?
My dream is to live by the sea/ocean in a warm climate. Costa Rica and Bali come to my mind first. Portugal is another interesting destination.
© Courtesy of the artist
© Courtesy of the artist
