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Making a doll is like writing a book. Svetlana Gladkikh

October 5, 2022

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Svetlana Gladkikh is the winner in the Expressiveness category in the fourth season of Gaudir.

Her story is a clear example of how belief in oneself and the desire to develop, leads to victory even in a difficult competition like Gaudir.

How long have you been making puppets and how did you get into this business? Do you have a professional background or are you self-taught?

I have been making dolls since the spring of 2020. When the covid started and I lost my job, my men (husband and son) told me it was a chance to do what I had always dreamed of doing. And learning to make dolls has been a dream of mine for a very long time. Ever since I came to a doll exhibition in Moscow about 20 years ago. I have no special education, but I have always loved to draw and, it seems, I was pretty good at it. I learnt to make dolls on the internet.

Remember your first doll, what was it like?

I still regret that I threw my first doll away. It would be interesting to see it now. Thank you to my family for not ridiculing me, but supporting me and keeping me going.

Who did you learn puppetry from?

I learnt puppetry from free lessons on Youtube. My first lessons were videos by Olga Kulakova. Then Ludmila Kibanova, Margarita Letova and Inna Shvartsman added to them.

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Why choose the dolls?

When I came to my first doll exhibition, I was fascinated, amazed by the amazing dolls! I immediately wanted to create them with their own character, with their own story. If every person is a whole world, then making a doll is like writing a book, inventing this world, its character, its history.

Your favourite technique, why?

I have only worked with baked clay so far. I like static dolls because it is easier to convey the idea that you put in them. I also like moving boudoir dolls because they can be different, plastic, alive. I plan to try to make a fully articulated doll and self-hardening clay.

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Which is more important to you, technicality or expressiveness?

Ideally both. Some dolls amaze with their perfected technique, realism, flawlessness, and you can look at them for hours, amazed at how human hands can create such perfection. There are some dolls that, as they call it, "stick". They may not be perfect in execution, but they touch your soul. The most beautiful option is a combination of both.

Do you have a personal secret to excellence that you can share with readers?

I still consider myself a novice dollmaker who is still learning and who is clearly early to learn. So far, I have set myself a goal which I have been able to follow and which helps me: in each doll I try to do something new that I have not done before.

If your dolls suddenly stop being bought, will you give up and find another occupation or continue anyway?

I started relatively recently, and even in such a strange time, when covid restrictions and unstable international environment, hinder promotion. So my sales can be counted on the fingers of one hand. But I don't plan to give it up and hopefully I will still be around.

What does winning the Gaudir competition mean to you?

It was my third participation in the competition and my first victory. It gave me strength, confidence that everything was not in vain, filled me with great joy and pride. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the organisers of the competition for the opportunity to express myself and for the absolutely amazing theme of the competition, which fascinated me and left me with no option but to take part.

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Your wish for future contestants.

I'm going to be corny here. Participate, definitely participate! It gives a boost to your self-development regardless of whether you win or not. Don't be discouraged even if you think you are failing. Try again.