In Ivano-Frankivsk region there is a nice city – Kosiv, which is situated at the foot of the Carpathians Mountains. Kosiv’s surroundings are rich in clay. So, pottery had been developing here since ancient times. Artisans produced pots, jugs, bowls, and mugs – all the necessary home equipment. But crafts the way we know them today emerged in late 18 - early 19 centuries.
Those were mostly candlesticks and tiles. Kosiv made tiled stoves were popular not only in Hutsul region, but also in Romania and Hungary. The oldest Kosiv made tiles are stored in museums of Bucharest and Vienna. Pottery was decorated with pictures of various kinds: stylized images of flowers, trees, animals (horses, deer, bears, birds), of various human types (hunters, warriors, postmen, musicians, etc.), Saints (often St. George and St. Nicholas). Very often the scenes of every day life were depicted on the pottery.
The names of the 18 century potters remain unknown. In the first half of 19 century the masters of pottery were: Ivan Baranyuk, Petro Gavryshiv, Petro Koshak, and Oleksa Bahmetyuk. Their works had been and will always be a unique phenomenon of our national art. But at this stage Kosiv Ceramics is not done.
In present days in Kosiv the traditional line of pottery is successfully continued by Igor and Khrystyna Trots in their Workshop “Dayte Spokiy” (means “leave us alone”). Every true artist has his own value which can not be compared to others. This is why they are always in search of new forms, designs and styles and their collection of works is so wide.
Igor and Khrystyna Trots are working since 1997. The range of their works includes: plates, bowls, pans, vases, flowerpots, stove tiles, tiles (various sizes), candlesticks and other ceramics. Their works are often exhibited at regional, national, and international exhibitions and fairs. Many of the works are kept in museums of Ukraine (Pyrogovo Museum of Architecture and Life, Museum of pottery in the village Opishne), in private collections in Ukraine, Russia, France, Poland, Italy, Belarus, Switzerland, Holland, US and Canada.
In their workshop Igor and Khrystyna hold master-classes during which everyone can feel the awesome power of clay while creating the desired shape on the potter wheel and try themselves at painting Hutsul traditional ceramics.
