Inna Orlik

Bull, Inna Orlik

It does my heart good to come upon a former public school art instructor from time to time who has, as they say, "made it." After years of childhood art exploration, more years of public school art, college, teaching while producing, and finally a seeming eternity of dogged self-promotion, to finally land representation in one or more galleries allowing regional, national, and (with as much luck as determination) international recognition, is a path not for the faint of heart. With all that, comes frequent shows, sales, and respectable prices. I tried. God knows I tried. At times I almost "made it." But I apparently didn't try quite hard enough. To teach is not to fail, but it does represent a "safe" pathway to creative and financial success. Even in the worst of times, I was never a "starving artist" (as my waistline will attest). But, at the same time, I'm not likely to ever see my face on Wikipedia.

 

Memories, Inna Orlik

Inna Orlik has "made it." Not only has she achieved international gallery representation, she, in fact, owns her own art gallery, located in Athens, Greece, at the foot of the Acropolis, no less. The Orlik Gallery is an elegant contemporary fine art gallery established in 2013. The Gallery is housed in a neoclassical building, located in Plaka, the historic center of Athens. Though the gallery specializes in the exhibition of innovative contemporary art and sculptures of international artists from all over Europe, it mainly represents the work of Inna Orlik.

 

A picture of determination, talent, intelligence, and beauty.



Inna Orlik was born in 1964 in Tbilisi, Georgia (then part of the Soviet Union). She studied painting in the National Academy of Fine Arts in Tbilisi from 1982 to 1987. For the next three years she taught high school art in her hometown. However, in 1985, while still in college, she had her first solo show in Tbilisi, followed in 1988 and 1990 by shows in Moscow and St. Petersburg respectively. During that time she also participated in various group exhibitions. Since 1991 she has lived and worked in Greece. (I might add that, like myself, Inna Orlik is not listed in Wikipedia either.)

 

 

Reef, Inna Orlik

 

 

Jesus, Inna Orlik

Since the dawn of recorded history, Greece has been known for great philosophers and myths. The city of Athens is embedded with much of this rich cultural heritage centered upon its art. Art is a mark of the existence of human beings on earth, passed down from generation to generation. In creating any work of art there is a sense of complete confluence with current culture and a past heritage. For Inna Orlik, there is a feeling of beginning a new life, of breathing through illustrations, walking imaginary streets, lighting lamps, looking out windows of fairy-tale house, an art like swinging boats blown by the winds.

 

Midday, Inna Orlik

Bee, Inna Orlik

Inna sees the same things applied to colors. Each has its own sound, each its own mood. In the imagination, art is blessed with a soul, with a character, often with a life-like image. Seasons of the year, rain, wind, stones, birds, lost worlds, myth-ical images, all have soul. Completed work brings satisfaction, happiness, surprise, and aesthetic pleasure, which is the most valuable element of creativity. As an artist, what's most important is not to rest on past laurels, but to feel the constant necessity to move forward and see new icons, new forms, new amalgamations. That is the meaning of inspiration.


Jacques de Molay, Inna Orlik