Irina Zakharova graduated from Lomonosov Moscow State University with a degree in history and theory of art. In 1970-90s she worked at the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts. In 1980-90s she visited China and obtained a large collection of Chinese art mainly represented by folk art items and toys from Shandong, Shaanxi, Henan, Beijing, Tianjin, Wuxi and other cities. In 1980s Irina set up a private collector exhibition“Chinese Folk Toy”attended by 100 thousand visitors.

The thesis“Traditional Chinese Folk Toy”brought her a doctor's degree in history of art. Irina created more than 30 articles devoted to Chinese folk and classi-cal art, as well as published the book“I want to find the ancient Greek city of Troy” written in Russian and Italian languages. She is also the author of the book“Amaz-ing Chinese Folk Toy”. Irina Zakharova participated in international art conferences and exhibitions held in Russia, China, Great Britten and the USA.

She is a member of the Moscow Artists Association and the Russian Art Critics Association, an organizer of many international art projects, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization-sponsored art project“Children draw Tales”， the exhibitions“Mercy On The Battlefield”“Embroidered Calligraphy” and others.