Exhibition of Egor Island CANON

Egor Ostrov - about the basics, ideal forms, impeccable images and the mission of the guardian artist in the context of the racing reality of the world of contemporary art at the exhibition "Canon". From June 1 to July 31, 2018 at the Orekhov Gallery.

In the twentieth century, artists for the first time decided to intentionally destroy the old canons. Collapsed laws, ideals, criteria, temples - the whole world. To the bottom. Canons were expelled from the world of art and outlawed. They were forced to go underground, where they patiently wait for a new round of revival.

The exhibition "Canon" in the Orekhov Gallery is a neo-academician Yegor Ostrov’s view of the trend of mass denial of art laws, proof of the relevance of the canonical system of art values at any point in the spiral of development of world art history, a kind of techno-renaissance.

Using computer technology and linear raster to recreate images of an ideal world where the canon is perceived as a language of eternity, true to the inner feeling, neo-academic artist Yegor Ostrov acts as the guardian of these laws. Using both classical and modern pictorial techniques, he carefully revives the masterpieces of the old masters, with a modern look at classical images, explores the laws of the canon, proves how airy and flexible the imagery of ideal beauty is. Using the principles of engraving and modern technology, the Island tames the raster flows - filigree, displaying them to the degree in the form that corresponds to his vision of direction, rhythm and plasticity. It works with the eye of the viewer like an optical device, plays with colors and tones, planes and scales. Using classical materials - paints and canvas, the artist achieves an incredibly multidimensional and multifaceted image. Moreover, he always emphasizes that technology is not a goal, but only a necessary means of delivering a direct message. In this case - from Michelangelo, Pontormo, Reni, Ingres, El Greco.

The exhibition in the Orekhov Gallery will show ten new paintings (canvas, acrylic, tempera) and porcelain made according to sketches of the Island at the Imperial Porcelain Factory.

Also, the sculpture of Grigory Orekhov will be presented for the first time, which will complement the "Canon" in yet another iconic way. The missing parts of the Venus of Milos found in 1820 have more than once become the subject of discussion about its original appearance. Subtly treating the image of Venus as a “canon-symbol”, Gregory offers his own version of its integral external form, predetermining a fundamentally new interpretation of this magnificent work.

Egor Island

Egor Ostrov was born in 1970 in Leningrad in a family of artists. Studying the drawing with his grandmother, the academic artist Leah Ostrovoy, reading books with illustrations by the father of Svetozar Ostrov, Egor absorbed the aesthetics of artistic perfectionism from childhood. After leaving school, carried away by science, he entered the Leningrad Electrotechnical Institute, and then to the Academy of Arts. Acquaintance with Timur Novikov in the early 90s and participation in the New Academy of Fine Arts determined his future path. Soon enough, Yegor Ostrov gained its unique style. He created the first paintings in the "branded" raster technique in 1992. In 1994, a landmark exhibition was held, which made Yegor one of the most successful young Russian artists of that time.

Over the years, Egor Ostrov collaborated with various reputable galleries. His works are stored and participate in exhibitions in major international museums (the Steidelic Museum in Amsterdam, the National Museum of Modern Art in Oslo, the Sinebryukhov Art Museum in Helsinki, the State Russian Museum in St. Petersburg) and private collections. The last 12 years, the island lives and works in Moscow.

Grigory Orekhov

Grigory Orekhov was born in 1976 in Moscow in the family of an outstanding sculptor, people’s artist of Russia, academician Yuri Grigoryevich Orekhov (1927-2001). From childhood, Gregory studied with his father in an academic workshop, which allowed him to master various techniques of performance in sculpture. Among the most significant works of Grigory Orekhov, it is worth noting participation in the reconstruction of the sculptural decoration of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior (1996-2001); Monument to A. S. Pushkin in Minsk (co-authored) (2000); bust of Leonid Kogan for the Moscow Conservatory. Tchaikovsky (2014); Entrance architectural steles, which became a symbol of the Moscow region (2015). In 2017, he entered the top 20 successful Russian artists according to Forbes magazine.

In addition to creative activities, he is actively implementing programs to develop culture and art in our country. After the death of his father in 2001, Grigory headed the Sculptor Foundation, created by his father at the Russian Academy of Arts. In 2003, Gregory founded the Museum "The Creative Heritage of Academician Yuri Orekhov." In 2004, he established the Golden Walnut Award, the first prize in Russia among young students at academic institutions in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In 2017, he founded the Orekhov Gallery.