Irina Schiwon: Sounds of Colors

Saturday 04 October 2025, starting from 05:00 PM, at Chiesa di Sant'Antonio Abate al Basso Barisano in Via Sant'Antonio Abate in Matera, is scheduled the opening of the solo exhibition Irina Schiwon: Sounds of Colors.

The exhibition will be open to visitors from 04 to 15 October 2025, during the church's opening hours. Free entrance.

The exhibition is curated by art historian Dr. Carmela Loiacono with the patronage of the City of Matera.

Presentation of the exhibition

The solo exhibition “Irina Schiwon: Sounds of Colors” presents a selection of abstract paintings, whose theme focuses on the musicality of color. 

All the artworks are inspired by her experiences, external influences and her travels abroad, in Italy, France and other countries, creating a unique and fascinating exhibition itinerary, where colors become a metaphor for life, strength, resilience and hope for the future. 

The exhibition will be a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the essence of vibrant colors, bold and captivating brushstrokes, and the evocative sound of positive energy that stimulates the mind and emotions.

Biography of the artist

Irina Schiwon was born in Altaj, Siberia (Russia) in 1958. After graduation in Computer Science in St. Petersburg, she moved to Germany in 1984, where she has lived for 40 years and considers her second home.  

In fact, it was in Germany that she began creating her first works based on the models of Kandinsky, Miró and the masters of Bauhaus. 

She worked abroad for many years, and inspired by Poljakov and Max Ernst, she held her first exhibitions and created her first commissioned works for private clinics and cultural pubs.

Since 2010, she has exhibited in solo exhibitions in Moscow and Berlin. In 2015, she opened her own studio in Berlin and continued to present her paintings in various exhibitions in Magdeburg, Dresden, Cuxhaven, Innsbruck and Berlin. 

From 2023 to 2025, she has exhibited her works in solo exhibitions in Tuscany, Castellina in Chianti and Magdeburg, Germany, and in collective exhibitions in Venice, Matera and Bologna. She has produced and continues to produce further commissioned works for organizations and companies, in collaboration with interior designers “Picture & Frieze”.

Artist Statement

“Abstraction is not chaos. Each of my paintings has its own signature. I let myself be guided by emotions and bring my feelings onto the canvas. In doing so, every basic idea is my focus, I do not make sketches and I think in the original. The color is an expression of my passion.

Every stroke is emotion, if I am not satisfied, the abstract allows me to wipe it off, cover it up, change it or even destroy it. In the abstract, color gives me the freedom to work through, edit, change or adapt until it finally fits my basic idea.”  

For more info: www.carmelaloiaconoarthistorian.com | www.irina-schiwon-abstrakt.de