Exhibition of paintings by St. Petersburg artist Roman Lyapin

From September 13 to October 16, 2016, the Sochi Art Museum hosted an exhibition of paintings by St. Petersburg artist Roman Lyapin.

Roman Lyapin is a contemporary St. Petersburg painter with a special authorial style and at the same time with the same respect for the classics. In paintings painted with monumental thoroughness and at the same time with expressive ease, the city lives its own life. Under a colorful sky, the architecture of houses, cathedrals and embankments is refracted. The author, observing the classical picturesque canons, knows how to add an abstract note to the city landscape, romantic allegorism. The viewer receives a City-personality, with its own character, mood and unique atmosphere. The Sochi Museum of Art presented about 40 works of painting and graphic art specially selected by the author for the exhibition. The exhibition was called the mysterious name "2856" and was timed to coincide with its anniversary.

The exhibition was supported by the Andrey Andreyev Charitable Foundation.

Roman Ivanovich, how old were you, while holding in your hands you realized that this is your calling, the work of your life?

I was about 16-17 years old when I felt that it was precisely the profession of an artist that could become my main point. And then my attitude to this matter changed, I became much more serious.

What artists do you consider authoritative, who was your teacher?

I love the paintings of Philip Malyavin, Abram Arkhipov, I always liked Fedor Vasilyev, as well as William Turner.

You got your education at the school. Mukhina, then, went to Rome. In general, did you strive to study abroad or did the trip turn out to be spontaneous, unexpected for you?

No, this trip was not planned at all, it just happened. I left for Italy with an exhibition and realized that it would be interesting to study there.

Roman Ivanovich, another question regarding life in Italy. In your opinion, what is the attitude of the local people towards painting, art as such?

Italians are tasteful people, they know how to appreciate beauty, as for modern art, it is very popular, it is very popular among the people.

And in comparison with Russia?

We are somewhat similar to them. It is quite comparable, in my opinion, that we are equally interested in art.

Here’s what about your works, why landscapes?

I paint not only landscapes; portraits are also represented in my work. But at this stage, I really really weigh heavily on landscapes. I like to write the state of nature, cities, I see in them my own truth. I love to write air over cities - this is what has attracted me lately.

Which of your works is your favorite?

It’s hard for me to single out any particular picture. Of those that are presented at the exhibition, there are several of them: “Neva in the snow”, “Horizon of St. Petersburg”, and “Panorama of Rome” - I have a lot in common with this city. The picture “Sochi in the evening”, where floodlights cut into the clouds, I also think It’s just not fair to single out one, because they are of equal importance.

What picture would you hang at home?

“Alder Alley”, although it is a little out of my style, but this is a special picture, it has great philosophical meaning.

Do you have any hobbies, maybe a hobby?

I was an avid billiard player, I even played for Russia in 1997. But this is already passed. In fact, I really love traveling, to places where I will see something unusual, I will get new emotions.

How do you like your stay in Sochi?

Sochi is a beautiful city, one of the fabulous places, I still don’t understand why Peter the Great didn’t guess to build Petersburg somewhere nearby here.

Are there any species that you would like to write?

Yes, I’m surely going to visit Krasnaya Polyana, to write some places from nature, in general I really like mountains, I’ve been fond of climbing since my students. As for local attractions, I plan to make the theme of “Mirror Sochi”, I am attracted to new buildings that reflect the landscape like a mirror, the sea, the sun and clouds play in these glass facades so interestingly. I see this as some kind of beauty, and until I do, it won’t let me go.

Journalist Anastasia Korsunova