Yuri Vasiliev
dal 9/9/2002 al 10/10/2002
Segnalato da
9/9/2002
Yuri Vasiliev
Ikra Gallery, London
A late series of oil paintings called ‘Cyclotron’ by Yuri Vasiliev, one of the most important dissident artists of the Soviet period. He died in 1990, aged 65, of his second heart attack, possibly reflecting the stress of a life spent ‘underground’.
Lost Leader of Russian Modernism
We are proud to announce that the next exhibition at the Ikra Gallery, will be opening on the 10th of September 2002. This will
be devoted to a late series of oil paintings called ‘Cyclotron’ by Yuri Vasiliev, one of the most important dissident artists of the
Soviet period. He died in 1990, aged 65, of his second heart attack, possibly reflecting the stress of a life spent ‘underground’.
In 1960, when he was 35, he was singled out by Life Magazine as a leader of the ‘hidden world’ of Russian modernist artists,
who dared to defy the orthodox Soviet line imposing Socialist Realism as the only permitted style. But praise in the Western
press did nothing to improve his standing in the eyes of the Communist authorities.
Earning his living as an illustrator for books and magazines and set-designer for theatres, he persisted nevertheless in turning out
from his small flat a stream of abstract and experimental works, both paintings and sculptures. The stress took its toll on
Vasiliev, and he suffered his first heart attack at barely 40 years of age.
A prolonged period of ill health followed, but he continued his prolific artistic output, gaining much needed support from
abroad, particularly Japan. A society of ‘Friends of Vasiliev’ was founded in Yokohama. In Russia, numerous celebrities were
drawn to Vasiliev’s art and personality, most notably the poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko.
‘Cyclotron’ was the collective name Vasiliev chose for his paintings conceived over the last two decades of his life, many
inspired by his lifelong fascination with the space age and nuclear physics. His works can be found in major museums
worldwide. Attached is the improbably named Ride in a Mercedes (oil on cardboard 1976, 38 x 50 cms).
C a v i a r
Ikra is Russian for caviar. As an aide-mémoire, this will be served in the gallery at Vasiliev’s private view. An art critic once
wrote, ‘art has become like caviar, everyone wants to have it, whether they like it or not’. I believe the art I show is still better -
than caviar.
Ikra Gallery, 21 Shepherd Market, London W1J 7PN
Tel: 020 7493 9558