MAIN PROJECT OF THE EXHIBITION “LABYRINTH OF DREAMS” Artist: Iryna Zhmurenko (Ukraine) The main project of this year’s Labyrinth of Dreams exhibition is being created by Ukrainian artist Iryna Zhmurenko. Her new work is a poetic reflection on the famous story Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, first published 160 years ago. Each figure in the exhibition has been made as a unique piece, designed especially for this project. It’s as if the well-known characters of the story have stepped out of the book and come to life — given shape, personality, and soul in elegant porcelain forms. Iryna’s project is more than a sculpture; it’s a piece of visual poetry, where every element is full of symbols, meanings, and gentle hints. Her style is known for its soft, flowing shapes, allowing viewers to see the story from different sides. She works with a quiet sense of simplicity and great attention to detail. The material she chose — Parian porcelain from England — matches her calm and thoughtful approach. It’s not just clay; it’s a noble, historic material, full of grace and timeless beauty. Where Iryna’s personal Labyrinth of Dreams will take us is something we’ll only discover at the exhibition. But one thing is sure: her journey passes through wonder, stillness, and the quiet light of true art.

National Institute of American Doll Artists

https://www.niada.org/

Verhelst Marlaine / NL

Eva Hodinková / ČR

Ann Hord-Heatherley (USA) 

"This time Alice waited patiently until it chose to speak again. In a minute or two the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth and yawned once or twice, and shook itself. Then it got down off the mushroom, and crawled away in the grass, merely remarking as it went, “One side will make you grow taller, and the other side will make you grow shorter.”

“One side of what? The other side of what?” thought Alice to herself.

“Of the mushroom,” said the Caterpillar, just as if she had asked it aloud; and in another moment it was out of sight.

Alice remained looking thoughtfully at the mushroom for a minute, trying to make out which were the two sides of it; and as it was perfectly round, she found this a very difficult question. However, at last she stretched her arms round it as far as they would go, and broke off a bit of the edge with each hand." - Lewis Caroll

Project “Alice’s Wonderworld”

In 2025, the world is celebrating 160th anniversary of the first publication of Lewis Carroll’s legendary book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. To mark this milestone, Ukrainian Association for Handmade Arts (UAHA) presents a special art project — “Alice’s Wonderworld”, featuring the works of Ukraine’s finest handmade artists, inspired by the enchanting story of Alice.

The project presents art dolls, teddies, toys, and other handmade creations that bring to life the characters of the tale: Alice, the Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, the Queen of Hearts, Time, the Caterpillar, Tweedledum and Tweedledee, as well as many other symbolic figures from the fantastic world of Wonderland.

The artworks are created in a variety of techniques and from diverse materials — textiles, air-dry clay, polymer clay, porcelain, and cotton. Particular emphasis is placed on attention to detail, characters interpretation, and deep emotional immersion into the magical universe.

The project aims not only to honor a literary legacy, but also to promote contemporary Ukrainian dollmaking and handmade creativity as a form of arts. Through this initiative, we aim to show how a classic story can take on new forms and sounds in the hands of talented artists.

NIADA is an international organization of doll artists, based in the USA.
Is it your dream to become part of this organization then please visit the website: https://www.niada.org/ and don't forget to read the part about what it takes to become a NIADA artist: https://www.niada.org/artistmembership/
During the International Doll Prague exhibition there will be limited possibility to have an Artist Membership Critique in Prague. If you are interested please contact Marlaine Verhelst marlaine(at)home.nl

Workshops - Doll Prague exhibition

Maximum number of students: 12

Workshops - Doll Prague exhibition

Maximum number of students: 10

Workshops - Doll Prague exhibition

Maximum number of students: 12

Workshops - Doll Prague exhibition

Maximum number of students: 10

Workshops - Doll Prague exhibition