During this current time of big challenges and uncertainty, of course polo has been also completely affected. Many have the chance to help in different ways to the most vulnerable areas. Among them is Irina Kazaridi, reknowned polo photographer, she is making an online exhibition and sale of several horse portraits where a percentage of the profits will go to a Hospital in Pilar, Buenos Aires.
How was your passion for polo born?
I studied art in St. Petersburg and architecture of interiors in Milan. I become photographer very late and I’m autodidact in photography. After my first exhibition-series of seascapes I was in research of a new inspiration for a new project. And one friend suggested me to try polo photography. I’m now based in southern France and it’s not far from Polo Club Saint Tropez so I went there once for taking pictures of my friends who played polo there. From the first time I loved atmosphere at polo and also from the first time taking pictures was amazing. A year later I’ve showed them at an exhibition in Monaco.
Why did you decide to relate your art with horses?
Polo and horses is one of my projects but not the only one. However, horse is my favorite model; for me, horses are an eternal object of inspiration which are never enough to admire. Taking pictures of horses it’s quite a gamble, a question of a good luck because everything is always unpredictable. The result depends on many things: current mood of the horse, the light, the weather conditions and the groom.
What’s the best about polo photography?
Polo is an amazing sport. I love its esthetic, the atmosphere, the smell of the grass, light, the sound of running horses, the speed. I love to watch the relationship between the human and the horse as well, It’s too beautiful for not love it.
What led to your decision of making a Charity Exhibition?
In this special period when all Polo tournaments have been canceled and my 2 upcoming exhibitions were cancelled too, we are sitting at home and observing how reality is changing for everyone of us. I think this is the right time to realize this online project and show the photos from my collection from the last 7 years of my travels with polo. This horse portraits were created in an Art-Decorative Equestrian style, inspired by Christian Liaigre and Hermes. Some people now have time to see my work and purchase it if they want. And part of the profit from the sale will go to help a hospital in Pilar.
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