Irina Kotova is a painter who works at the intersection of academic tradition and contemporary symbolic art.
Born in 1979 in Sergiev Posad, Moscow Region.

Education

2007
St. Petersburg State Academic Institute of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture named after I.E. Repin, Painting Department, Theater Workshop under the direction of Professor E.S. Kochergin
Gold Medal of the Russian Academy of Arts
Praise from the Certification Committee

1999
Abramtsevo Art and Industry School named after V.M. Vasnetsov
Department of Artistic Ceramics

Solo exhibitions

2014
"In Search of the Bird of Happiness," Red Square Gallery, Hong Kong
2011
Moscow Cultural Foundation, Moscow
Investment Trade Bank, Moscow
2010
"Emotions and Sensations," Ex:Libris Art Café, Moscow.
"Emotions and Sensations," Dozhd-Mazhor Art Café, Moscow
2002
S-Art Gallery, Moscow
1998
Atrium Gallery, Central Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Moscow
1997
"Russian Yard," Sergiev Posad

International Exhibitions and Festivals

2022
Asia World Expo, Red Square Gallery, Hong Kong
2019
Asia Contemporary Art Show, Conrad Hong Kong, Hong Kong
"Russian Autumn Culture Festival." Exhibition "Sentimental Stories," Hong Kong
"Russian Contemporary Art," Kunstbrug Gallery, Oldenzaal, Netherlands
2018
Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), Hong Kong
"White Nights of St. Petersburg," Kunstbrug Gallery, Oldenzaal, Netherlands
2017
"White Nights of St. Petersburg," Felis Gallery, Ootmarsum, Netherlands
2016
"Floating in the Clouds," Red Square Gallery Repulse Bay, Hong Kong
2015
"Theater. Seasons," Red Square Gallery, Hong Kong
2014
First Russian Arts and Culture Festival in Hong Kong
"From Russia with Art." Red Square Gallery, Hong Kong
2012-2013
"Lullaby to the Dragon," Stanley Plaza, Hong Kong
2011-2012
"Russian Romance," Central Branch, Hong Kong
2010
"Ideal Form," Central Branch, Hong Kong

Group Exhibitions

2022
International Exhibition and Competition of Contemporary Art "4 Seasons," Modis Art Gallery, Moscow
International Festival "Zen Art," Moscow Union of Artists, Moscow
2019
International Exhibition NUDE 2018 "The Nude Genre in Contemporary Fine Art," Art-Korobka Arts Center, Moscow
2018
"Metropolitan Art Seasons." Autumn 2018, Art-Korobka Arts Center, Moscow
2012
VII HUDGRAPH Graphic Arts Fair, Novy Manege, Moscow
2011
Moscow Pavilion, VVC, Moscow
2010
Art Salon, Central House of Artists, Moscow
2009
Exhibition at the Radisson Slavyanskaya Hotel, Moscow
2008
II Moscow International Arts Festival "Traditions and Modernity"
Central Manege, Moscow
Art Salon, Central House of Artists, Moscow
2007
Anniversary Exhibition of the Russian Academy of Arts, Central Manege, Moscow
2005
Union of Theatre Workers, St. Petersburg
2004
Life as Theatre, Central House of Artists, Moscow
Journey to... , Central House of Artists, Moscow
2001
Art Salon, Central House of Artists, Moscow
2000
S-Art Gallery, Moscow
Art-Manege, Moscow
1999
"Castles for the New Russians," Albatros Gallery, Moscow.
"Cats and Sex," Albatros Gallery, Moscow.

Achievements and Awards

2026
Finalist of the "Uncompromising Black and White" competition at OPEN CALLS
Nominee of the "Artist's View" award at OPEN CALLS
Moscow Art Prize. Nominee
Korney Chukovsky Prize Nominee — book project "Let's Take a Walk Around Moscow"
II All-Russian Painting and Graphics Competition "RUSSKOART"
2025
Korney Chukovsky Prize Nominee — book project "Atelier of Winter"
2024
Korney Chukovsky Prize Shortlist — book project "Moscow Streets"
2023
Korney Chukovsky Prize Shortlist — book project "Cat and Mice"
2022
Laureate of the Russian Arts Prize
Mikhail Vrubel Medal
3rd Place Diploma of the International Zen-Art Festival in the Mystical Symbolism Category
Diploma Winner of the III Interregional Festival "Smart Book - Saratov"
2008
State Scholarship Recipient of the Federal Agency for Culture and Cinematography of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation
2007
Praise from the State Attestation Commission of the St. Petersburg I.E. Repin Academic Institute of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture.
Gold Medal of the Russian Academy of Arts for academic achievement.
2006
Winner of the "Muses of St. Petersburg" grant competition in the set design category.
2005
Winner of the "Muses of St. Petersburg" grant competition in the set design category.



The artist's works are in private collections in Germany, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, China, Japan, and Russia.