From 1st to 7th May
aMarina Ikoku in Her Voice Art Gallerya
Marina Ikoku
Marina Ikoku is a contemporary artist from St. Petersburg of Afro-Russian descent. She was born in Leningrad in 1966 to a family of graduates from the Financial and Economic University. Ikoku's father comes from a family of a Nigerian Minister of Education, while her mother hails from a family of Russian engineers.
In 1995, she graduated from the St. Petersburg State Academy of Art and Design named after Stieglitz. Since 1999, she has been a member of the Union of Artists of Russia. In 2012, she founded a private studio called "Inspiration by Colour." The main goal of the studio is to enhance spaces with vibrant works of art and decor, giving interiors emotional charisma and a unique color resonance.
In 1995, she graduated from the St. Petersburg State Academy of Art and Design named after Stieglitz. Since 1999, she has been a member of the Union of Artists of Russia. In 2012, she founded a private studio called "Inspiration by Colour." The main goal of the studio is to enhance spaces with vibrant works of art and decor, giving interiors emotional charisma and a unique color resonance.
In 2020, she received the "Golden Diploma" at the International Architectural and Design Competition "Golden Trezzini" in the category "Best Implemented Project of the Year Using Artwork." In 2023, she was awarded another "Golden Diploma" at the same competition for the category "Best Implemented Apartment Design Project."
Ikoku is an ambassador for the international movement to unite Russia and Africa in the fields of culture and art. She participated in the "Russia-Africa: Dialogue of Civilizations" summit at the Federation Council in 2020 and in the "Russia-Africa" summit in St. Petersburg in 2023.
Since 2024, she has been a member of the International Alliance of Strategic Projects BRICS.
Ikoku is an ambassador for the international movement to unite Russia and Africa in the fields of culture and art. She participated in the "Russia-Africa: Dialogue of Civilizations" summit at the Federation Council in 2020 and in the "Russia-Africa" summit in St. Petersburg in 2023.
Since 2024, she has been a member of the International Alliance of Strategic Projects BRICS.
She is known for her bold, large-scale works that combine the rich color palette of the African continent with traditions from Russian academic art. Her bright, deeply symbolic paintings emanate such strong energy that it feels as if everything around them comes to life, dispelling sadness and melancholy while simultaneously providing a calming and harmonizing effect.
In her paintings, Ikoku combines two elements: symbolic imagery and its emotional content expressed through color. Any depicted object—be it a landscape, an animal, or a nude figure—serves as a symbol or sign within her artwork. Notably, she employs various textures and details in her work. Interestingly, Ikoku's surname translates to "icons" in English.
Ikoku's paintings tell stories; they are the result of research and careful observation of life. The theme of this research revolves around seeking inspiring sources that grant individuals strength, joy, and a sense of inner freedom.
POLITICS Diptych, 2015
we are few, but we are greater (left)
we are many, but we are smaller (right)
fabric, acrylic painting, 140 × 280 cm
1680$
«One of the main signs of happiness and harmony is the complete absence of the need to prove anything to anyone.»
— Nelson Mandela
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