Mini Tales consists of Zakharov’s latest miniature paintings of animal figures, and nature scenery with playful subjects that require viewers to further investigate the works to discover what Zakharov’s intent to show. These works are often misrepresented as “small works”. Contrarily, the detail and minutiae do matter. It literally demands the viewers to take a step closer to truly grasp the full implications of his works. Zakharov let go of everything that is "grown up", that bothers and nags him in real life. He travels to this reality, where good defeats bad, where life has a meaning, and cynicism does not have the last word; where we are never lonely and nobody can hurt us. These little characters open the artist to new beginnings, and however bad it is, it's still all good, even though often sad.

Born and currently working in Moscow, the Russian master of miniature, painter Alexander Zakharov translates his imagination on to canvas. Through the medium of painting, Zakharov developed his own language which speaks of fantasy and nature, blending surrealism into the physical world, with playful imagery and fragments of playful subject matters.

Zakharov reminisces the childhood experiences, where we fantasize our surrounding, where the sky is the limit. He expresses that “I believe that in every one of us lives a child, and my paintings are about what child loves and accepts. In my works, I talk to him in the language he and I can understand. Even the size of my works - It’s memories of childhood, where all the important things in life can fit in a pocket or under a pillow, so that you don’t have to part with them even for a minute.”

Many of Zakharov’s prints are displayed in major public and private collections, including Fogg Museum of Art at Harvard University, the Portland Museum of Arts and New York Public Library. Collectors of his artwork include many Hollywood stars such as Nicholas Cage, Whoopi Goldberg, David Bowie, Sir Oliver Stone and many more.

“I invite you, my viewers, to take a step into the world of childhood dreams and living toys, so that a little me can meet a childhood you, and, as peers, we will continue the journey together,” says Zakharov.

Image: © Alexander Zakharov, AP Contemporary