Posts from the ‘Ilja Chapoff’ Category

Dec 18

Ilja Chapoff – Further Information

Thank you to Emma for sending a photo of piece by Ilja Chapoff (previous posts). This piece has a similar style of pattern and brush technique to the first piece by this Artist which I came across – and appears to have been from the same exhibition/gallery going by the labelling on the base.

As a fascinating side note I have come across an photo of a large mural painted by Ilja before he came to Australia as a WW2 refugee from Czechoslovakia.

I cant post the image here as it is a “stock image” – but HERE is the link to it.

The mural is in the Dormition Church at the Olsany Cemetery in Prague, Czech Republic, and the caption says this is one of several murals painted 1941-1945 by a group of Russian Icon Painters after a design by Ivan Bilibin. I knew that Ilja worked as an Artist in Prague before migrating to Australia, but until now didn’t know in what capacity or field…so it is fascinating to be building up a background story every so slowly of this talented artist and craftsman.

(There is also a fascinating brief history of the Olsany Cemetery on Wikipedia here )

Ilja Chapoff

Jul 24

Ilja Chapoff – More Works

I was so pleased to hear from readers Alan & Val who were able to provide some more snippets of information about, and some images of pieces they have by Ilja Chapoff.

Ilja was a WWII refugee to Australia, and worked as a potter painter and sculptor in until the 1980s mainly in New South Wales (see my previous post here)

Alan and Val met Ilja when they ran a small art gallery where they sold some of his work. The gallery was next to their printing business in Narwee 1974/1975.

During this period Ilja was living in the Narwee/Riverwood area. They recall him being a quiet and gentle man, who before he migrated to Australia had taught and practised as an artist in Europe (possibly Prague) for many years, but had to flee with nothing when he came to Australia.

They purchased some of his work at that time, and kindly sent me some photographs of it.

You will also see below another example of Ilja’s work sent to me by Sandra Read more

Feb 5

4 Comments

Ilja Chapoff, Australia

Ilja Chapoff, (1912-1989)

Georg Ilya Chapoff, A 20th Century Potter’s work who you will rarely come across, but which I find captivating. The image below is the only example of his work I have come across, and I haven’t been able to find any other examples online, in libraries or periodical magazines of the time.

Ilja Chapoff (b1912 Novorossijsk, Russia – d 1989 Australia). Was a talented craftsman who worked as a Potter, Painter and Carver/Sculptor (of both marble and wood). He worked in New South Wales and the A.C.T. (Canberra)…and taught classes in Sculpture in the Canberra region. I am guessing he immigrated to Australia around WW2.

I was able to find only 1 record of an exhibition he was involved in at the Society of Arts & Crafts of N.S.W in 1974 – but there were no images. His name is listed on the Australian Artists database, but that goes no further.

What an all round talent this man was. I love the style of the pattern on this stoneware piece pictured here – obviously a reference to Russian Easter Egg designs which Ilja would have known so well.

If any readers ever come across any information, or a piece by this Artist, please contact me, as I would love to see it and build up some sort of visual library of this work, before it slips from our history.