Curriculum Vitae

Artist’s Statement
Irene’s sculptures are a response to life’s balance between control and freedom. Working with a structurally challenging medium, she utilizes a visceral and intuitive process to work the stone into free forms, constantly testing her own understanding of structure, movement and flow as she perceptively feels for the stone’s ability to accept or reject her applications. Intrinsic to her artistic practice is the sculptures simplicity, diversity of shape and organic state. Through constant sensorial reactions, such as touch and sight, Irene curates an immersive experience for her viewers.

Biography
Irene’s sculpture plays an especially important part in her life. She always needed to express her artistic feelings. For many years, she had searched to find the right medium for 3-dimensional work. From the very first time she placed her hands on stone to sculpt, she was captivated. The freedom that comes with creating what she feels is enlightening and a perfect outlet for her creativity. Though Irene sculpted exclusively by hand for many years, she now includes the use of power tools. This enables her to expand how she sculpts and thereby create more interesting sculptures. Her art training includes Toronto School of Art, Wilfrid Laurier University, Haliburton School of Arts and private studies. She continuously experiences other media to expand her basis for creativity.

Awards
• ‘Anticipation’ – Canadian soapstone – 2nd Place, 3D – 6th Annual Artist’s Choice – Fusion Art
• ‘A Matter of Degree’ – serpentine – Finalist – 6th Annual Artist’s Choice – Fusion Art
• ‘Deep Sea’ – alabaster – Distinguished Artist Award – ‘Abstract’ 2020 Art Competition – ArtAscent
• ‘Sensual’ – alabaster – Distinguished Artist Award – ‘Sensuality’ 2020 Art Competition – ArtAscent
• ‘Flight of Fancy’ – serpentine, porcelain – 3D Honourable Mention – Abstracts 2020
• Competition – Light Space & Time
• ‘Anticipation’ – Canadian soapstone – Special Merit – Abstracts 2020 Competition – Light Space & Time
• ‘Groovee’ – soapstone – Special Merit – Abstracts 2020 Competition – Light Space & Time
• ‘A Matter of Degree’ – serpentine – Distinguished Artist Award – ‘Grey’ 2020 Art Competition – ArtAscent – 2 –
• ‘A Matter of Degree’ – serpentine – 5th Overall – Special Merit – All Women 2020 Competition – Light Space & Time
• ‘Facets of Life’ – soapstone – Special Merit – All Women 2020 Exhibition – Light Space & Time
• ‘Go With The Flow’ – soapstone – Special Merit – All Women 2020 Exhibition – Light Space & Time
• ‘Petals’ – plaster – 4th Place 3 Dimensional – 2019 Leaves & Petals – Fusion Art
• ‘Thoughtful’ – bronze – 4th Place 3 Dimensional – 2019 Figures & Faces – Fusion Art
• ‘Thunder & Lightning’ – soapstone – Overall Award 6th Place – 2019 Patterns Textures & Forms Competition – Light Space & Time
• ‘Connected’ – alabaster – Special Recognition – 2019 Patterns Textures & Forms Competition – Light Space & Time
• ‘Thunder & Lightning’ – soapstone – 1st Place 3 Dimensional – 2019 Patterns Textures & Forms Competition – Light Space & Time
• ‘High Seas’ – soapstone – Distinguished Artist Award – ‘Water’ 2019 Art Competition – ArtAscent
• ‘Running Man’ – soapstone – Best In Show – 2019 TWAC Members Juried Exhibition – Artworld Gallery
• ‘Flight of Fancy’ – serpentine, porcelain – Artist Spotlight Winner – ‘Black’ 2018 Art Competition – ArtAscent
• ‘Bow Tie’ – soapstone – Artist Spotlight Winner – ‘Black’ 2018 Art Competition – ArtAscent
• ‘High Seas’ – soapstone – Special Recognition Award – ‘Abstracts’ 2018 Art Exhibition – Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery
• ‘Thoughtful’ – bronze – Artist Spotlight Winner – ‘Portraits’ 2018 Art Competition – ArtAscent
• ‘Tuxedo’ – clay – 6th Place Award Winner – ‘Patterns Textures & Forms’ 2017 Art Exhibition – Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery
• ‘Forest By The Lake’ – acrylic – Special Recognition Award Winner – ‘Patterns Textures & Forms’ 2017 Art Exhibition – Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery
• ‘The Gift’ – aluminum, copper, wood, polyester – 4th Place Award Winner – ‘Open’ 2017 Art Exhibition – Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery
• ‘Flowering’ – wax – 3rd Place – 3 Dimensional Art Category Winner – ‘Botanicals’ 2017 Online Art Competition – Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery
• ‘Petals’ – plaster – Honorable Mention – 3 Dimensional Art Category Winner – ‘Botanicals’ 2017 Online Art Competition – Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery
• ‘Bird In Flight’ – soapstone – Honorable Mention Award Winner – ‘Animals’ 2017 Art Exhibition – Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery
• ‘Avalanche’ – soapstone – Artist Spotlight Winner – ‘Abstract’ 2017 Art Competition – ArtAscent
• ‘Slopes’ – alabaster & marble – 5th Place – 3 Dimensional Award Winner – ‘Landscapes’ 2017 Art Exhibition – Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery
• ‘Mount Everest’ – soapstone – 2nd Place – 3 Dimensional Award Winner – ‘Landscapes’ 2017 Art Exhibition – Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery
• Artist Showcase – Winner – 2017Solo Art Series – Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery – 3 –
• ‘Thoughtful’ – bronze – 3rd Place – 3 Dimensional Award Winner – ‘Figurative’ 2017 Art Exhibition – Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery
• ‘Hand’ – wax – Special Recognition Award Winner – ‘Figurative’ 2017 Art Exhibition – Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery
• ‘Blowing In The Wind’ – limestone – Distinguished Artist Award Winner – ‘Orange’ 2017 Art Competition – ArtAscent
• ‘Discovery’ – plaster – Distinguished Artist Award Winner – ‘Orange’ 2017 Art Competition – ArtAscent
• ‘Avalanche’ – soapstone – 3rd Place – 3 Dimensional Award Winner – ‘Abstracts’ 2017 Art Exhibition – Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery
• ‘Bow Tie’ – serpentine – Special Merit Award Winner – ‘Abstracts’ 2017 Art Exhibition – Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery
• ‘Starburst’ – alabaster – Award Winner – ‘All Women’ 2017 Art Exhibition – Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery
• ‘Thoughts’ – soapstone & granite – Special Merit Award Winner – ‘All Women’ 2017 Art Exhibition – Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery
• ‘Neptune At Play’ – soapstone – Special Merit Award Winner – ‘Seascapes’ 2016 Art Exhibition – Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery
• ‘Noble’ – soapstone – Award Winner – ‘Open’ 2016 Art Exhibition – Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery
• ‘Rock & Roll’ – soapstone – Special Recognition Award Winner – ‘Open’ Art Competition – Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery
• ‘Stallion’ – soapstone – Distinguished Artist Award Winner – ‘Wild Call’ Art Competition – ArtAscent
• ‘Ice House’ – alabaster – Special Merit Award Winner – ‘Season’ Art Competition – Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery
• ‘Gibraltor’ – soapstone – Honorable Mention Award Winner – ‘Nature’ Art Competition – Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery
• ‘Blowing In The Wind’ – curry limestone – Special Recognition Award Winner – ‘Nature’ Art Competition – Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery
• ‘Father With Children’ – soapstone & slate – Special Merit Award Winner – ‘Figurative’ Art Competition – Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery
• ‘Serpent’ – soapstone – Award Winner – ‘Animals’ 2016 Art Exhibition – Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery
• ‘Penguin’ – soapstone – Honorary Mention Award Winner – ‘Animals’ 2016 Art Competition – Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery
• ‘Penguin’ – soapstone – People’s Choice Award Winner – Artworks Oakville
• Award of Distinction for Artistic Excellence – Artscape
• ‘The Wave’ – soapstone – Show Sculpture Award Biennial Open Juried Exhibition – Colour & Form Society

Solo Shows
2017
Artist Spotlight – Solo Art Exhibition Fusion Art
Artist Showcase – Featured Artist Light Space & Time Gallery Of Solo Art Exhibition
2016
‘Living Stone – Abstract Sculpture Bezpala-Brown Gallery, Yorkville, Toronto – 4 – by Irene Sirko’

Group Shows & Exhibitions
2021
21st Annual Juried Show Artworks Oakville – QECCC Gallery 6th Annual Artist’s Choice Fusion Art
2020
Colours of Autumn Exhibition Ukrainian Association of Visual Artists of Canada
Abstract Expressionism Sculptors Society of Canada – Distillery Gallery
Toronto Outdoor Art Fair Toronto Outdoor Art Fair Online
Abstract Competition ArtAscent
Sensuality Competition ArtAscent
Abstracts Competition Light Space & Time
Grey Competition ArtAscent
All Women Competition Light Space & Time
Home Group Exhibition Artists Network Gallery
2019
Mosaic of Colour Exhibition Legacy Gallery – Ivan Franco Residence
Transformation Exhibition Ukrainian Association of Visual Artists of Canada – Winnipeg
Colours of Autumn Exhibition Ukrainian Association of Visual Artists of Canada
TWAC Art Card Exhibit Artworld Gallery
Leaves & Petals Competition Fusion Art
Dzerelo Art Auction Ukrainian Youth Ensemble Fashion Show
Figures & Faces Competition Fusion Art
New Moon Exhibition Arta Gallery
Patterns Texture Forms Competition Light Space & Time
Water Competition ArtAscent
TWAC Members Juried Exhibition Artworld Gallery
Toronto Outdoor Art Fair Nathan Philips Square – Toronto
Spring Salon Ukrainian Art Song Project – Gallery 345
The Other Art Fair Saatchi – Mana Contemporary Chicago
Spatial Modes Sculptors Society of Canada – Distillery Gallery
Contemporary Art Fair The Artist Project
2018
Christmas Show Williams Mill Visual Art Centre
TEDx Trinity Bellwoods Conference Metro Hall
Fall Salon Ukrainian Art Song Project – Gallery 345
Expressions in Art Show St. Volodymyr
Little Black Book Artists In Canada
35th Anniversary Annual Tour Images Thanksgiving Studio Tour
90th Anniversary Show Sculptors Society of Canada – John B. Aird Gallery
Members’ Art Show Toronto West Art Collaborative
Artwalk In The Square Artists’ Network
57th Annual Outdoor Art Fair Toronto Outdoor Art Fair
Leacock Museum, Orillia Images Thanksgiving Studio Tour
Rosedale Art Fair Rosedale Main Street
Spring Salon Ukrainian Art Song Project – Gallery 345
Black Competition ArtAscent
60th Anniversary Show Ukrainian Association of Visual Artists of Canada – Chicago
Seriously Stoned Sculptors Society of Canada – Canadian Sculpture Centre
Open International Juried Online Exhibition Society of Canadian Artists – 5 – Abstracts Competition Light Space & Time
Contemporary Art Fair The Artist Project
Portraits Competition ArtAscent
40th Annual Juried Show of Fine Arts Visual Arts Mississauga – Art Gallery Mississauga
2017
Joy Sculptors Society of Canada – Canadian Sculpture Centre
Patterns Textures & Forms Competition Light Space & Time Gallery
USOM Fall Exhibition Ukrainian Association of Visual Artists of Canada – KUMF Gallery
Expressions in Art Show St. Volodymyr
Images Studio Tour Horseshoe Valley, ON
USOM 60th Anniversary Exhibition Oseredok Gallery, Winnipeg MN
‘Our Canada’ Sculptors Society of Canada – John B. Aird Gallery
Open Competition Light Space & Time Gallery
2nd Annual TWAC Members Exhibit Artworld Gallery
Botanicals Competition Light Space & Time Gallery
Animal Competition Light Space & Time Gallery
Abstract Competition ArtAscent
Landscapes Competition Light Space & Time Gallery
Vasyl Otkovich Fund Raiser Ukrainian Association of Visual Artists of Canada – KUMF Gallery
Wine & Cheese Gala Fund Raiser Rotary & Roncesvalles United Church
Annual Open Juried Exhibition Ontario Society of Artists – John B. Aird Gallery
Figurative Competition Light Space & Time Gallery
Orange Competition ArtAscent
Abstracts Competition Light Space & Time Gallery
Contemporary Art Fair The Artist Project
2016
Holiday Open House Wilfrid Laurier Alumni
Holiday Spirit Sculptors Society of Canada – Canadian Sculpture Centre
Women Competition Light Space & Time Gallery
Portrait Theme ArtAscent
Holiday Salon Toronto West Art Collaborative
Seascapes Competition Light Space & Time Gallery
Expressions in Art Show St. Volodymyr
60th Anniversary Show Ukrainian Association of Visual Artists of Canada – KUMF Gallery
Open Competition Light Space & Time Gallery
Rock About Sculptors Society of Canada – Canadian Sculpture Centre
Wild Theme ArtAscent Gallery
Seasons Theme Light Space & Time Gallery
Canada Ukraine Friendship Evening Central Ontario Export Club
TWAC / CNE Juried Art Show Canadian National Exhibition Juried Art Show
No Boundaries Sculptors Society of Canada – Canadian Sculpture Centre
Nature Theme Light Space & Time Gallery
Figurative Theme Light Space & Time Gallery
In The Space of Colour – Landscapes Ukrainian Association of Visual Artists of Canada – KUMF Gallery
Animal Theme Light Space & Time Gallery
Biennial Open Juried Exhibition Colour and Form Society – Paper Mill Gallery
Celebrating The Arts Live Auction Gilda’s Club Greater Toronto
17th Annual Juried Show Artworks Oakville – QECCC Gallery
Contemporary Art Fair The Artist Project
2015
Holiday Treasures Sculptors Society of Canada – Canadian Sculpture Centre
Expressions in Art Show St. Volodymyr
Stone It! Sculptors Society of Canada – Canadian Sculpture Centre – 6 – Colours of Autumn Art Exhibition Ukrainian Association of Visual Artists of Canada – KUMF Gallery
Outdoor Art Exhibit Queen West Art Crawl
50th Art In The Park Oakville Art Society
Bizarre Bazaar BizBaz
53rd Annual Summer Show Muskoka Arts & Crafts
Capture A Moment Ukrainian Canadian Art Foundation – KUMF Gallery
18th Annual Art Show & Sale Kingsway Lambton United Church
200th Anniversary of Birth of Oseredok Gallery, Winnipeg MN
Taras Shevchenko Art Exhibit
2014
Holiday Joy Sculptors Society of Canada – Canadian Sculpture Centre
Christmas Marketplace St Joseph Catholic Church
36th Annual Juried Show of Fine Arts Visual Arts Mississauga – Art Gallery Mississauga
New Members Exhibition Sculptors Society of Canada – Canadian Sculpture Centre
200th Anniversary of Birth of Ukrainian Association of Visual Artists of Canada – KUMF Gallery
Taras Shevchenko Art Exhibit
17th Annual Art Show & Sale Kingsway Lambton United Church
15th Annual Juried Show Artworks Oakville – QECCC Gallery
Artfest at the Distillery Artfest Ontario
20th Anniversary Shevchenko Exhibit Ukrainian World Congress in Ukraine
Solid Ideas Sculptors Society of Canada – Canadian Sculpture Centre
Expressions in Art Show St. Volodymyr
Fall Art Exhibition Ukrainian Association of Visual Artists of Canada – KUMF Gallery
Annual Open Juried Exhibition Colour and Form Society – Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery
2013
16th Annual Art Show & Sale Kingsway Lambton United Church
14th Annual Juried Show Artworks Oakville – QECCC Gallery
‘Toronto The Beautiful’ Juried Exhibit Ukrainian Canadian Art Foundation – KUMF Gallery
Expressions in Art Show St. Volodymyr
2012
34th Annual Juried Show of Fine Arts Visual Arts Mississauga – Art Gallery Mississauga
139th Annual Open Juried Exhibition Ontario Society of Artists – John B. Aird Gallery
Open Juried Show 2012 Beaux-Arts Brampton
CFS Biennial Art Exhibition Colour and Form Society – Paper Mill Gallery
Invitational Art Show World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organization
Fall Art Exhibition Ukrainian Association of Visual Artists of Canada – KUMF Gallery
Expressions in Art Show St. Volodymyr
Christmas Show Ukrainian Canadian Art Foundation – KUMF Gallery
2011
Our Summer Show Personal Show with L. Ireland & H. Klaassen – Visual Arts Mississauga
Fall Art Exhibition Ukrainian Association of Visual Artists of Canada – KUMF Gallery
Expressions in Art Show St. Volodymyr
Christmas Show Ukrainian Canadian Art Foundation – KUMF Gallery
2010
Open Juried Show Beaux-Arts Brampton
11th Annual Juried Show Artworks Oakville – QECCC Gallery
Biennial Open Juried Exhibition Colour and Form Society – Paper Mill Gallery
Expressions in Art Show St. Volodymyr
Christmas Show Ukrainian Canadian Art Foundation – KUMF Gallery
2009
– 7 –
Open Juried Show Beaux-Arts Brampton
Open Mind – 135th Annual Open Ontario Society of Artists – John B. Aird Gallery
Juried Show
Open Juried Show for Students Metallic Art Society of Canada
57th Annual Open Juried Exhibition Colour and Form Society – Etobicoke Civic Centre Art Gallery
Commissions
‘Shades of Green’ Private Collection
‘The Crest’ Private Collection
Professional Affiliations
Sculptors Society of Canada
Artists In Canada
Ukrainian Association of Visual Artists of Canada
Toronto West Arts Collaborative