Irina & Olga Ert

Illustrator

©Seseg Sandanova

Fairytales from a distant world

Irina and Olga are a creative sister duo
Their art is strongly influenced by their Buryat culture and heritage
They draw with pen on paper, then edit their works digitally

To fully understand the beauty behind the illustration works of sisters Irina and Olga Ert’s, one has first to get an idea of their place of origin. The young creative duo comes from Buryatia Republic, a part of Russia located in the far east, close to the Mongolian border. Buryat culture is a blend of Buddhism and shamanism, with a strong nomadic spirit that is deeply rooted in nature. As artists, Irina and Olga have been strongly influenced by the traditional motifs and colours of their Buryat origins, which they incorporate into their work and interpret in a contemporary way. “We have been inspired by professional artists and our elders alike,” they explain. “In particular, it was our great-grandmother who taught us about our heritage, showing us how to live in harmony with nature and find beauty in the most ordinary things.”

Interview

©Seseg Sandanova

©Seseg Sandanova

What is your educational background?: We have been drawing since we were little, but we ended up studying economics because our parents wanted us to get a 'real' job. Our love for art remained very strong and we applied for a Master's degree in arts and went together to the UK to study animation production. Working together, we learned a lot from each other, too!
How do you combine tradition and innovation in your work?: Technically speaking, we use traditional tools such as pencil, watercolour or oil paint, and we edit our drawings digitally on our tablets. This approach allows us to create traditional-looking illustrations with a modern twist. We also incorporate traditional motifs into modern designs.
Is there an artist who was particularly important to you in your creative path?: We got a lot of inspiration from the movies of Hayao Miyazaki and Yuri Norstein, from children illustrated books and works by the Buryat sculptor Dashi Namdakov. We also had the chance to work in the studio of the great Buryat painter, Zorikto Dorzhiev, whose art and vision were extremely impactful.
Are your illustrations intended for children, or for adults too?: We believe that art has the power to transcend age and demographic boundaries. Our goal as artists is to create works that can be enjoyed by anyone who appreciates beauty. Children may certainly enjoy our illustrations, but we hope that they can also speak to adults on a deeper level.

Irina & Olga Ert are expert artisans: they began their career in 2011