Russian artist Konstantin Bessmertny will mount his first solo Beijing exhibition "One of You– New Works by Konstantin Bessmertny "on 3rd December 2011 at AFA Beijing. In this exhibition, the organizer Art for All Society (AFA) will present 25 recent works produced by the artist. Apart from familiar easel paintings, exhibition-goers can enjoy a sculpture and installation artwork integrating high-tech digital media and 3D imaging technology.
One of the most celebrated European artists residing and working in Asia, Bessmertny has become renowned in the artistic circles of Hong Kong and Macao and even those of Europe with his impressive painting techniques and substantial knowledge of culture and history. Born in 1964 in Blagovesthensk in the former USSR, Bessmertny demonstrated exceptional talent in painting in his childhood compared to other children of his age.
At 14, he hosted his first solo painting exhibition, thereby paving the path to professional training in the arts and creativity. After some ten years of rigorous training in model painting in the Russian style, he became a professional artist in 1992. Accidentally arriving in Macao, he established his own studio and has since resided in this utopian-like place with his family.
The difference between his art creation before and after he moved to Macao lies in the new elements, materials and inspirations Bessmertny has absorbed through the cultural environment and lifestyle mix derived from both Chinese and Western cultures. Tropical weather and fascinating scenes of the city add even more colour and variety to his painting canvas. Such a diverse cultural environment also inspires this foreign artist with endless muses for creation.
Remarkably talented as both researcher and innovator, Bessmertny impresses his friends with his wit and humour. The best of an artist is his ability to integrate his genuine personality and extensive knowledge of history, politics, language and philosophy into art creation. Whatever language one speaks or wherever one comes from, Bessmertny effortlessly influences people with his humorous yet absurd works.
Furthermore, Bessmertny possesses a thorough understanding of classism, philosophy, religious symbols and the semiotics of the Middle Ages. A glimpse of his works enables us to encounter an immensely broad scope of culture and is a feast for the eyes. His painting technique represents an inheritance and advocacy of classical painting that once flourished in the Middle Ages and Renaissance in Europe. Bessmertny's technique benefits from his early Russian training in model painting as well as his long-term dedicated exploration, which have enabled him to produce art as a dialogue bridging the classical and modern eras.
In his early paintings one can see the absurdity and humour of the Flemish artist Pieter Bruegel the Elder: behind those sluggish faces and ridiculous actions communicating utter absurdity are profound innuendos. Indeed, several paintings in this exhibition remind exhibition-goers of the solemnity and magnificence of the classical arts.
The series of works Avec Fantomas is a breakthrough in Bessmertny's creative journey. This French comedy, popular in 1960s Europe, is deconstructed under his brush. In these paintings are not the artist's portrayals of the protagonist nor the thrilling plot: Bessmertny uses his own narrative method to transform this comedy into one themed around gangsters and policemen.
He makes use of his unique humorous qualities to ridicule everyday surroundings. In this particular series, he purposely conceals his refined portrayals to depict an imaginary story and scenes with wild brushstrokes and dexterous use of colour, thereby making the images more vivid and appealing.
“One of You – New Works by Konstantin Bessmertny” is sponsored by the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture, the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macau SAR and Macau Foundation and will run until 19th February 2012. AFA Beijing is located on 706 North First Street, No.2 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing (30 metres from the corner of the White Box Museum of Art).
