Ilona Romule

Ilona Romule





Ilona Romule is a studio artist from Riga, Latvia. She received her Masters of Fine Arts Degree from the Latvian Art Academy. Ilona has world-wide international recognition with her self-made plaster model moulds and slip cast porcelain sculptures. Ilona is known for her use of ironic and erotic imagery both in the form of her fine porcelain pieces and also in the surface decoration with the china paints. In ceramics Ilona is interested in the opportunity of three dimensional expression, using the scope of graphics and painting. Traditionally she works with porcelain. Ilona supplements her sculptural works with fine painting in overglaze technique, thus developing plastically expressive compositions, participated by human, animal and peculiar hybrid figures. In the motives chosen by the artist, figures settle in form and material in the game of symbols and character situations.

Ilona’s unique and high quality artwork has allowed her opportunities to work inside world-known porcelain industries such as the Lomonosov Porcelain Factory in St. Petersburg, Russia. In 2005 she participated in the International Storytelling Ceramics Symposium in Guldagergaard, Denmark. Every year since 2003 Ilona has participated as invited artist at Masters' meeting at the International Ceramics Studio in Kechkemet, Hungary.

For the first time artist worked with the porcelain from Herend porcelain manufactory 18 years ago in the International ceramics studio, Kecskemet, Hungary. Most of her works have been created there. Ilona does not tolerate superficial attitude towards material. She listens to porcelain and it suggests, dictates its’ own rules, each time offering new outlines of the figures and thus creating the special artistic manner characteristic for the works of Ilona Romule.

Ilona Romule is member of the Latvian Artists Union and the International Academy of Ceramics (IAC). Her recent achievements in international competitions include the 6th International Contemporary Porcelain Triennial in Nyon, Switzerland, the 2nd World Ceramic Biennale in South Korea and the 1st , 2nd and 3rd International Triennial of Silicate Arts in Kecskemet, Hungary.

On a regular basis Ilona holds lectures in USA - at the Archie Bray Foundation in Montana, the Southwest Craft Center in San Antoni, the Clay Studio in Philadelphia, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas State University, Ohio University, University of Illinois, The University of Michigan, etc. Ilona has lectured also in various other universities, art centres, studios all across the world - Culture and Art Centre in Finland, Australian National University in Australia, Ege University in Turkey, Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Israel, etc.

In total Ilona has given 42 presentations and lectures relating to her own practice and international experience in various International Symposiums and Ceramics Conferences. Ilona has led 13 plaster mold making and China painting workshops at Universities and Art Centers in Hungary, USA, China, Australia, Turkey, Israel.

Ilona has been an invited artist to a number of International Symposia, including “Porcelain in Other Way”, Walbrzich, Poland (2003); “Storytellers. H. C. Andersen”, International Ceramics Research Centre, Denmark (2005); Porcelain Symposium in Zibo Bone China factory, China (2009).