Marina Marina
Marina was born in 1970 in a small city called Tambov, in rural Russia. She started playing piano at a very early age and was accepted in a special school for musically gifted children at age seven. After graduating from the musical school at age 17, Marina went to work in order to earn a little money to continue her musical and general education in a college. She was hired by a nearby factory, as an assistant to the graphic designer in the advertising department. It was here that quite suddenly Marina discovered that she is a very talented designer and fine artist.
In 1990, she enrolled into the art & graphic department of the State University in Kostroma. She graduated with honors in 1996 and for several years worked as both designer and fine artist. That same year Marina started taking part in art shows across different parts of her homeland Russia. The Kostroma Chapter of the Union of Artists of Russia took her paintings on tour and she exhibited in St Petersburg and Moscow.
In 1997, she received the Grand Prize at the Kostroma Regional Fine Art Show. Also in 2000, she received 1st prize at the National Juried Show of Portrait Art. In 2001 and 2005, Marina was selected to represent her region on the All-Russia Fine Art Show. She was awarded “Best Young Talent” in the Central Palace of Art in Moscow.
In 2009, Marina took part in an exhibition “Artists of Russia to Watch” and was selected as “The Artist to Watch of 2009.” Her painting titled “Nude” was made the face of the new “Portal Nu” of the Russian Art Website. “Nude” was also acquired by the Fine Art Museum of her native city Kostroma.
As a result of this success in 2010, representatives of Christie’s Auctions of London approached her. Her work is now successfully sold on Christie’s of London and in galleries in several European Cities, including St. Petersburg. She and her family reside in the artistically historical city of St. Petersburg, Russia. Marina is married to fellow artist Aydemir Saidov, and has an 18-year old daughter.