Biblical subjects of Helium Korzhev at the exhibition dedicated to the memory of the master

In the museum and exhibition complex IRRI, located in Moscow, on Derbenevskaya Embankment, the exhibition "The Bible Through the Eyes of Socialist Realism" opens, dedicated to the memory of the People’s Artist of the USSR Geli Korzhev, one of the most famous painters of the twentieth century. The preparation of this exhibition began with the direct participation of the master, but, unfortunately, on August 27, 2012, Helium Korzhev passed away.

Fame came to Helium Korzhev along with the canvases “Lovers”, “Raising the Banner” written by the artist in the 1950s and 1960s, and which immediately became famous, the cycle of paintings “Scorched by the War”. In the 80s, his surrealistic cycle “Mutants” became a landmark for the artist’s work, and in the 90s the series “Adam and Eve”, “Turliks”, “Don Quixote and Sancho Panza” were written. For his work in 1987, Helium Korzhev was awarded the USSR State Prize.

According to the manner of execution and the content of the paintings by Helium Korzhev, he is attributed to artists who created their works in the "severe style" that arose in the 50-60s. The canvases combine emotionality, philosophical reflection and drama.

The painter worked on the Bible through the Eyes of Socialist Realism series, presented at the exhibition and supplemented with sketches written during the course of his work, for about twenty years, having studied many works on biblical themes over the years. The artist’s trips to Syria, Lebanon, Spain, gave Korzhev the opportunity to create absolutely real oriental landscapes on his canvases.

Working on the biblical cycle, Helium Korzhev, as in his previous canvases, assigned the main place to man and the role played by him on the earth. The sixteen paintings that made up the exhibition were not exhibited in Russia before. You can see the unique works of Helium Korzhev until May 26th.

Ludmila Trautmane