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Alexander Klimtsov - Represented by ASA ART GROUP
( Russian Federation, 1980 - present )
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Artist: Alexander Klimtsov ( Russian Federation, 1980 - present ) -
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Main Category: Painting
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Genres: Contemporary American Art, Contemporary European Art, Modern Art
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Biography: Dynamic and emotionally charged portraits by the young St. Petersburg artist Alexander Klimtsov synthesize traditions of twentieth century neo-expressionism and pop-art. Klimtsov's art, in terms of genre, can be suitably described as photo-based art. He draws inspiration from images and photographs of iconic personalities in Western and Russian popular culture. By means of meaty, bold brush strokes Klimtsov breathes a new lease of life into the somewhat stony-faced and vacant expressions of VIPs in the photographs. The artist's technique is noteworthy in the sense that he paints a mirror-representation of the original image on the back of the Plexiglas surface, which when looked at from the front is inverted back to its original. This technique of painting back to front lends itself to the expressivity of Klimtsov’s art.
Klimtsov’s predilection for Plexiglas and acrylic paint as media, both symbols of twentieth century technological progress, in favour of the traditional canvas surface and oil paints, is a deliberate attempt to get away from the classical tradition of painting of the artist’s native city, which, some may say, has way past its “sell-by” date and lacks any artistic and aesthetic justification in some instances. In this sense Klimtsov’s art is an experiment – an attempt to embrace modernity and progress in the midst of cultural stagnation and social despondency. Gleaming and vibrant acrylic paint laid on with aggressive, but controlled brush strokes is, simultaneously, a testament and a retort to this. Perhaps, the transparent quality of Plexiglas is a subconscious hint by the artist at Russia’s refusal to shed its Soviet habits of notorious secrecy and opaqueness in the wake of a rapidly changing world order. The use of Plexiglas as a painting surface has a direct allusion to monumental Gothic stained-glass art. Extracted from their original architectural context and displayed in an exhibition space, these glossy hi-tech, “post-modernist stained-glass windows” afford us a view into today’s world, that seems to be religiously obsessed with superficiality, “image” and voyeurism. Thus, Klimtsov’s paintings become a perverse interpretation of the classical tradition, and a neat and perceptive pun, as well as a worthy and stylish addition to your home or office!
Alexander Klimtsov was born in 1980 in Leningrad. In 2000 he graduated from the Graphic Design faculty of the Roerich University of Art. He now lives and works in St. Petersburg.
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Exhibition History: 007 Moscow Art Fair, ASA Art Gallery, Moscow, Russia
2006 Vitrum, Di Di Gallery, St. Petersburg, Russia
2000 and 2001 Design Competition «Znak 2000» and «Znak 2001», St. Petersburg, Russia
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