Mihail Chemiakin 2005
Content picture(s)
Exhibition of paintings and graphic arts drawings by Mihail Chemiakin
"Māksla XO" Gallery from 29.04. - 25.05.2005.
Mihail Chemiakin - a person well-known in the world of art. A master. A fighter, who despite changes of different powers and their disapproving attitudes, has maintained his style and unique mastery.
"One can live a whole life ...copying Russian icons and still wallow in the mire of materialism the whole life. But there are also other ways - like Chemiakin, to yoke the snail of metaphysics and to strike through the dome of the heaven with a mind-bending, dazzling burst...
What's next? Next is a conversation with the dwellers of the kingdom of Heaven.
And then we, the unattached, grow silent..."
/Sergei Dovlatov. New York/
Mihail Chemiakin
Born in Moscow in 1943. Father - a Soviet army officer, mother - an actress. Having grow up in Eastern Germany, from 1957 to 1971 he lives in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). Then he graduated from secondary school of art in the academy of art named after I.Repins, and started studies of sculpture and graphic arts at the university of art named after V.Muhina (former Central Technical Drawing School of Stiglics) from which he was expelled on ideological grounds. He continued to study art independently by coping works of the old masters from Hermitage collection. In the 60-ties, M.Chemiakin took part in the so-called Petersburg underground exhibitions, which were closed by decree of the Soviet government right after being opened. In 1971 (until 1981), M. Chemiakin was banished from the USSR.
The artist spent 10 years living in Paris. This is where is famous series of lithographs the 'Belly of Paris' was created, 15 works of which will be exhibited in Riga.
In 1981, the artist moved from Paris to New York and in 1989 became naturalized in the USA. His works were exhibited in Europe, USA, Brazil, Japan, Hong Kong.
The creative work of M.Chemiakin covers a vast amplitude - from theatrical performances to metaphysical studies. He holds exhibitions, publishes catalogues and books about Russian conformist art and literature, publishes musical and poetic compositions of his close friend Vladimirs Visockis, and along with that - work in fine arts: sculpture, graphic arts, art of painting.
M.Chemiakin founded the Institute of Philosophy and Innovation Psychology where, jointly with the philosopher Vladimir Ivanov, he elaborated the theory of metaphysical synthetics devoted to creation of the new icon based on religious art.
Since 2002, M.Chemiakin hosts a series of broadcasts on study of art on the Russian television channel 'Culture'. For the scientific research work in history of art of various nations and ages, public institutions of a number of countries have conferred doctor's degree on M.Chemiakin.
Although the artist is very talented in graphic arts, still his biggest contribution is in sculpture. His sculptures and groups of sculptures have been erected in many cities worldwide - New York, Hamstead, London, Paris, Venice, Moscow, and also in the city of his youth - St. Petersburg.
The works of M.Chemiakin are part of standing exhibitions of a multitude of museums - Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), the Public Gallery of Tretyakov (Moscw), State Russian Museum (St. Petersburg), Mussee d'Art Contemporain (Paris), Contemporary Art Museum (Tel Aviv). He has participated in over 500 exhibitions worldwide.
Ilze Žeivate, 2005