About the artist
I'm Irina Voroshkova. I create art dolls — each one by hand, from the first sketch to the last stitch. I work alone, in my studio in Belarus.
Story
I've been drawing, sewing, and sculpting since childhood — it was always with me. Art school, then art college, then university — at every stage of life I was learning to work with my hands and see form.
For many years I worked as a designer and pattern engineer at companies producing soft toys. I invented, sketched, built patterns — and I loved it. But at some point I realized I wanted to play with dolls on my own, by my own rules.
In 2019 I made my first art doll. What began as a return to a childhood game quickly became a profession and a way of life. Over the past six years I've created more than 50 dolls. Each one is different. My work is held in private collections in many countries around the world.
For many years I worked as a designer and pattern engineer at companies producing soft toys. I invented, sketched, built patterns — and I loved it. But at some point I realized I wanted to play with dolls on my own, by my own rules.
In 2019 I made my first art doll. What began as a return to a childhood game quickly became a profession and a way of life. Over the past six years I've created more than 50 dolls. Each one is different. My work is held in private collections in many countries around the world.
Philosophy
I don't fantasize about an object — I fantasize about a being. It matters to me that you want to pick the doll up, move her, change her clothes, restyle her hair. That she lives — sits, stands, moves, changes.
The same doll is never repeated. Even when I use the same mold — the face is refined, the makeup is created anew, the costume is designed and sewn from scratch. Each doll exists as a single piece.
To me, an art doll is neither a toy nor a figurine. It's a small sculpture with a character, a mood, and a presence. I want each of my dolls to feel like someone — not something.
The same doll is never repeated. Even when I use the same mold — the face is refined, the makeup is created anew, the costume is designed and sewn from scratch. Each doll exists as a single piece.
To me, an art doll is neither a toy nor a figurine. It's a small sculpture with a character, a mood, and a presence. I want each of my dolls to feel like someone — not something.
Want to see my work?
