POCKOSHKO AT MAGMA CLERKENWELL

18 September 2009 | exhibitions

Matryoshkas date from 1890, and are said to have been inspired by souvenir dolls from Japan. The story goes that a folk crafts painter called Sergei Maliutin, saw a set of Japanese wooden dolls representing Shichi-fuku-jin, the Seven Gods of Fortune and, inspired, drew a sketch of a Russian version of the toy which was then carved and painted. It consisted of eight dolls; the outermost was a girl holding a rooster, six inner dolls were girls, the fifth doll was a boy, the innermost – a baby. In 1900, the dolls were presented at the World Exhibition in Paris and the toy earned a bronze medal. Soon, many other places in Russia started making matryoshki.

Pocko in collaboration with Magma has initiated an exciting new project involving 20 international, award-winning Pocko artists.

Artists will customise a series of wooden Matryoshka dolls, using a variety of techniques, from oil painting, ink and watercolour to collage and soldering. A photographer and an animation company have been commissioned to produce bodies of work inspired by the Pocko Matryoshkas which will be exhibited along side the dolls. A number of leading art and graphic magazines have committed to support/feature/promote this project.

POCKOSHKO will have the chance to be appreciated by many, starting with an exhibition in the 3 Magma Stores as part of the London Design Festival September 2009 and will continue their journey, passing by NYC, Madrid and Milan, to a special final auction, 2 RUSSIA WITH LOVE, in aid of a Russian children charity.

About Pocko: Pocko was founded in 1999 in London by Nicola Schwartz. Thanks to original ideas and projects it has rapidly become an internationally known company working with contemporary artists and with forward thinking brands. Pocko’s gift has been in its ability to identify young undiscovered talents and to jointly develop, in a team format, highly original and exciting projects ranging from exhibitions to publishing programs, from unconventional marketing strategies to communication and advertising campaigns. For more information visit www.pocko.com

Artists involved: Studio Number One, Jeremyville, Dave McMacken, Mike Perry, McFaul, James Braithwaite, Tabas, Olaf Hajek, Paul Bower, Postics, Ben Newman, Staffan Larsson, Nomoco, James Dawe, Adam Hayes, Hennie Haworth, Fernanda Cohen, Joey Hi-Fi, Kinpro, Jorge Alderete.

About Magma: Magma is the leading visual arts & design retailer in the UK, with shops in London an Manchester. It was founded by Marc Valli (founder/editor of Graphic Magazine and of the forthcoming Elephant magazine) and Montse Ortuno (who also owns designer toy shop Playlounge). Magma has built a unique reputation in terms of uncovering new and original design and visual art material, from books to all kinds of design products. For more information visit www.magmabooks.com

You can purchase your own blank Russian doll to customize using the link below:

Buy a Russian doll