Russian art in the twenty first century has come a long way since socialist realism
Many people when thinking of Russian art tend to think of the pre-1917 avant-garde, or Constructivism in the years following the 1917 Revolution, or of Socialist Realism from the 1930s to the 1950s.
However after the death of Stalin in 1953, Russian art began to open up and as long as artists did not criticise the Soviet system they were able to make art which was figurative and interesting. The Soviet education and training system for artists appears to have been the equal of any in the world, and has left Russia with a community of well-trained artists.
In July 1988 there was a Sothebys auction of art which caused great controversy by converting Soviet art into money. Rock stars such as David Bowie and Elton John bought work. Shortly afterwards the Soviet system collapsed and Russian artists had to scramble for their living outside of the old communist system which, whatever its flaws, provided them with real and metaphorical space to work in.
Russians have never lost touch with their history. They have a lot of history to look back on, and do not have to avoid the appalling legacies which blight European imperialist countries such as colonial exploitation, slavery or racial genocide. This in my opinion makes Russian art interesting, as the Russians often freely mix references to their history and culture into their art in a way that is less often seen in Europe or the USA.
So, who are the Russian artists whose work is contemporary but reflects the proud splendour of their past? Here are a few of my picks.
Pavel Pokidyshev
This St Petersburgh artist makes incredible work, instantly recognisable. His works seem to be a sort of painterly mashup of Russian history and nature.
Olga Suvorova
This St Petersburgh artist paints incredible colourful paintings drawn from the rich imperial history of her home city.
Dmitry Shorin
This artist reminds me of some of the old Soviet propaganda posters, and mixes images of femininity and modernity in the form of aviation.
Marina Federovna
Popular in Paris apparently, this artist mixes fashion and other elements into compelling paintings.
Vyacheslav Mikhailov
This artist explores new approaches to painting and has exhibited around the world.
Maxim Kantor
This intellectual artist explores the problems brought by globalisation.
Irina Nakhova
This installation artist likes to create spaces that do not otherwise exist, mixing painting and other elements into a fascinating whole.
Viktor Pivovarov
This artist was a leading light in Russia's counter culture and a founder of the 1970s Moscow Conceptualism school. He is a Russian renaissance man who writes, philosophises and creates art.
Oleg Tselkov
Tselkov paints brightly coloured faces which are drawn from the subconscious, and which he feels are cathartic.
Olga Chernysheva
Chernysheva is fascinated by the increasingly diverse thinking in post-Soviet Russia, where the narrative was once frequently set by the Communist Party.
Erik Bulatov
Bulatov works in what might seem an increasingly tricky area of Russian art - non-conformist political art. He is no doubt very skilled in the handling of these themes as Russian politics becomes less liberal that at the turn of the century.
Oleg Kulik
Kulik Makes art based on photography and also performance art. The styles of his work are very widely spread. There is a lot of intellectual content in his work which makes it vry intelligent an challenging - this seems to be a feature of the Russian arts in general.
Olga Bulgakova
Bulgakova is a very fine painter who paints very striking images. Her work draws on Russian and contemporary foreign influences.
