Alexander Putov (1940 - 2008) HAPPY RETURN, SASHA PUTOV! Graphics 1962 - 2005 Automatic translate

The Borey Gallery presents an exhibition of graphics by Alexander Sergeevich Putov, a bright, but little-known in Russia, non-conformist artist, emigrant of the third wave. The exhibition is timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the artist’s birth.

Initially, we conceived this exhibition as a large retrospective of the artist, and planned to present to our viewer a wide section of his creative activity - painting, graphics, sculpture, book illustration, but closed borders and an unfavorable epidemiological situation interfered with our plans and did not allow us to fully realize our plans…. The exposition will feature graphic works made by the artist from 1962 to 2005 - from the beginning of his career in Russia, and until the end of his life in the west of France. Some of these works will be presented to the Russian audience for the first time.

The creative path of Alexander Putov began in the 1960s in Moscow. In 1969 he graduated from the Moscow Architectural Institute, exhibited his drawings at the university, in private apartments. In 1973 he left for Israel, lived and worked in Haifa, exhibited a lot. In 1986 he moved to Paris, where he joined the Art-Cloche group of artists, which included Aleksey Khvostenko, Valentin Samarin, Vladimir Kotlyarov (Tolsty) and others. Here he worked a lot and fruitfully, creating several paintings and drawings a day. The artist’s creative heritage includes many paintings, drawings and sculptures.

Book illustration occupies a special place in the work of Alexander Putov. The artist himself wrote that by drawing he comprehends the text. During his life, he created illustrations for the works of many poets, including Dante Alighieri, Korney Chukovsky, Viktor Krivulin, Andrey Lebedev, Anri Volokhonsky, Vadim Delone and others.

Alexander Sergeevich Putov was born in Kamensk on March 9, 1940. Mother - Sara Isaakovna Abarbanel - teacher, father - Sergei Ivanovich Putov - mechanic. During the war, the family was evacuated to the east (Kemerovo), then moved to Noginsk.

In 1957 Putov began his studies at the 2nd MGMI (at the pediatric faculty), but did not finish his studies. 1959-1962, he serves in the army and begins to paint there. Since then, he decided to become an artist.

1963-1969, he defended his degree in architecture at the Moscow Architectural Institute. During this period he met V. Sitnikov, V. Kazmin, I. Kabakov, O. Rabin, E. Zyuzin, L. Gubanov, Taron Garibyan. In 1971-1973 he often communicates with M. M. Shvartsman, whom he considers his spiritual father. He exhibits his drawings and caricatures in private apartments, without being, of course, a member of the Union of Artists.

In 1966 the artist marries Marina Brengaus. In 1973 they emigrated to Israel together. In Israel he can work freely and exhibits a lot. In 1973 Marina gives birth to her son David. In 1982, Alexander and Marina divorced.

In 1986 he was invited to Paris for an international exhibition at the CIAC. He immediately contacts the artists of the Art-Cloche group who worked in the squats and decides to stay in Paris. Since then he has been friends and works with Valentin Samarin, Vladimir Kotlyarov "Tolstoy", Alexey Khvostenko, Yuri Titov, Oleg Sokhanevich in various squats, where he is one of the more active artists. The most famous squat is the Julette Dodiu cultural center in 1989–90.

In 1987 Putov met his wife Sylvie. In 1991 they buy a house in the suburbs of Paris, but he continues to work in squats until 1996. In 1993 Sylvie gives birth to a daughter, Louise, and in 1997, a son, Vasily.

In 2000, the family moved to the west of France, to the countryside. In 2003, the artist developed Parkinson’s disease, but despite this he continued to paint until 2004. In 2007 he finished the autobiographical book "Realism of Destiny", which was published in Moscow, in UFO, in 2013.

Alexander Putov passed away on November 18, 2008 in Rene.

List of personal exhibitions:
1968 - Blue Bird (with I. Kabakov) - Moscow
1976 - Museum of Contemporary Art - Haifa
1979 - Di-Nur Gallery - Tel Aviv
1980 - House of Artists - Haifa
City-Hall - Ottawa
1982 - City Museum Nahariya (Israel)
1984 - Carmel Art Gallery - Ottawa
Nora Gallery - Jerusalem
1986 - Galerie Marie-Thérèse Cochin - Paris
1988 - Galerie Etienne de Causans - Paris
1989 - Carmel Art Gallery - Ottawa
1992 - Cultural Center - Almeria (Spain)
1993 - "Logos" Gallery - London
1995 - Galerie "Les yeux noirs" ("Black Eyes") - Romont (Switzerland)
1998 - Gallery "Yuri Gurov" - Barcelona
2012 - Culturel center - Gonesse (France)
2013 - Art Center Harmony - Jérusalem
2015 - Galerie Sylvie Le Page - Paris