How modern artists use ‘Khokhloma’ painting style (PICS)

‘Khokhloma’ products have won the hearts of not only ordinary people, but also aristocrats: In 1883, Empress Maria Feodorovna awarded master Mikhail Krasilnikov with a gold watch etched with a dedication. And, in 1889, ‘Khokhloma’ patterns shone at the World Exhibition, where they received the Grand Prix. In 1912, a floating exhibition of ‘Khokhloma’ patterns set off on an international voyage, which visited Lebanon and Egypt. Another 13 years later, the ancient craft amazed again, this time the Parisian public – agit-Khokhloma was brought to the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Art.

These days, it hasn’t lost its popularity and modern artists are rethinking the familiar black-red-gold painting in a new way.

Experimenting with shape and color.

Designer Alena Akhmadullina spent several months studying archives of the style and then created her own collection with recognizable patterns.

Even the traditional tray began to look modern.

Sergey Sysoev, meanwhile, created a collection of clothes and accessories inspired by the style.

And the ‘Khokhloma’ style perfectly sets off the strict design of Olga Mikova's lamps.

Finally, in these fancy lamps by Tatyana Babkova and Svetlana Katargina, the silhouettes of old kerosene lamps, reinterpreted in a constructivist vein, are recognizable.

* You can learn more about the Khokhloma style at the ‘Chic, shine, Khokhloma’ exhibition, which is on display at the All-Russian Museum of Folk Art until November 16, 2025.