Meet Ainura Barron of Saint Charles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ainura Barron.

Hi Ainura, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hello, I am Ainura Barron. I am a native of Kazakhstan and currently live and work in St. Charles, MO. I am an artist and educator. I earned an MFA in Visual Studies from Missouri State University in 2019. I also hold a BFA in Graphic Design from the Kazakh National Academy of Arts (1997) and a BA in Set Design from Almaty Arts College (1991). I have extensive experience in arts administration and art management, working for diplomatic missions of Great Britain and the USA in my home country Kazakhstan. My artwork has been exhibited in solo and group exhibits in Poland and Kazakhstan and throughout the St. Louis region.

I currently have a studio at the Foundry Art Center in St. Charles, teach at St. Charles Community College and teach to younger students from my studio at the Foundry. Most of the works I do represent a visual journey that involved the investigation of my identity and roots and exploring my cultural history and through that process I rely on photographs, stories, and family traditions, such as crafting. I am invested in examining my artistic instincts and how they connect to my cultural heritage.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Kazakhstan was a part of the Soviet Union when I was younger and I earned my first art education in art college. Then when I studied at an art university, Kazakhstan became an independent country. When I graduated, my life changed dramatically; this caused me to shift my career aspirations toward art management and administration. I was able to use my artistic knowledge and worked for non-profit organizations and diplomatic agencies. I was managing different art projects and activities. I was also able to travel, which expanded my knowledge of art, which I wouldn’t be able to gain if I remained working in a studio as an artist. I returned to art practice much later and tried to catch up with everything I missed. The experience of seeing international art and working with contemporary artists led me back to my creative skills, and I started making art again. I returned to my practice, and in my work, I have attempted to use the knowledge I gained for a specific investigation that illuminates not only my identity but also my personal history and cultural meaning. While pursuing my Master of Fine Arts degree at Missouri State University, my experience helped me work on my research.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I create various narratives that explore my traditions and history through a visual journey. I am invested in examining my artistic instincts and how they connect to my cultural heritage. The influence of my cultural background can be seen in the materials I use. As we all are products of our life experiences, I also include my personal stories in my works. I use many media, including paintings, graphics, collages, digital works, and illustrations, in many of my approaches. Incorporating crafts elements into my paintings due to their association with women and femininity is also important to me. I consider these processes and practices to be my passage into a globalized society while simultaneously finding my niche within this society.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I was 44 years old, a single mother with a child, but I decided to take a risk, to quit my job at the American diplomatic mission in Kazakhstan and move to the United States to pursue my dream and to go to grad school. I never thought of myself as a risk-taker, but when I started feeling that I wanted to do something meaningful and something I had been dreaming about for a long time, I took a risk and decided to go back to the art practice and to go to study again. I had a wonderful experience at Missouri State University, developed my art practice, and was also able to change my life. Now I teach art classes at St. Charles Community College and from my studio at the Foundry Art Center, and I create my artwork which I have wanted to do for a long time. I followed my dream and took all risks, and I am happy where I am now. I still have a lot to do to improve my art practice and business, but I am ready for challenges and keen to learn new skills.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ainurabarron.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ainura_barron/