RUSSIAN IMPRESSIONISM SOVIET ERA TO PRESENT
Michael Hughes
Contact:
Clint Watson, Gallery Director
Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art
Phone: (210) 828-6491
FAX: (210) 828-6669
cl...@greenhousegallery.com
RUSSIAN IMPRESSIONISM SOVIET ERA TO PRESENT: MORE THAN 70 EXCEPTIONAL
PAINTINGS BY ACADEMY-TRAINED RUSSIAN ARTISTS
San Antonio, TX - March 2, 2002 - Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art will once
again captivate art lovers everywhere with their annual exhibition of Russia
's master artists in a show titled, "Russian Impressionism: Soviet Era to
Present." Through collaboration with agents who make numerous treks to
Russia in pursuit of these historical works of art, Greenhouse Gallery is
able to share with the public this retrospective of Russia's past and
present. The public is invited to view the show beginning March 16 with a
champagne and wine reception from 4:00 - 7:30 PM. The exhibit runs through
March 30 and is also available for viewing online at
www.GreenhouseGallery.com.
Over 100 paintings by mostly academy-trained artists will be featured in the
exhibit. "Russian Impressionism: Soviet Era to Present" pays homage to
these artists whose talent and dedication to a rigorous academy training
truly set them apart from their counterparts. The Soviet Era was a
difficult time for artists, especially artists who were freethinkers. The
State dictated that the only "acceptable" works of art were those that
glorified the Communist ideals. Artists who strayed from these ideals were
not allowed to exhibit in a public forum. It was not until the fall of the
Iron Curtain that these paintings made their way out from under beds and
locked closets. "That is what makes this exhibit so important," states
Gallery Director Clint Watson. "Many of these paintings have never had a
viewing audience. Now, many years after these works of art were created,
they are finally able to stand alongside the same works which touted the
ideals of the Communist regime. Seeing the paintings together in this
exhibit enables the viewer to better understand the many facets of Russian
society. This is history unfolding before our eyes."
Also featured in the exhibit will be more than 20 landscapes by acclaimed
Russian artist Zinovi Popov. Popov's experimental impressionistic style was
not warmly received by the Artist's Unions or the Soviet Regime and in the
1970's he was rebuked as the Director of the Artist's Union for abandoning
the Soviet ideal. Ironically, by the time of his death in 1983 he was
regarded as a genius. Watson says, "The gallery is proud to have an artist
of Popov's caliber in this exhibit."
Watson continues, "We're honored to be one of the few galleries in the
country bringing this remarkable art to the United States and specifically
to San Antonio. It is a thrill to see this museum-quality art, produced by
artists who have experienced a demanding life-long program of education that
we can scarcely imagine in America. The artwork they produce is truly
superior."
Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art has been an important San Antonio art
establishment since 1982. Watson exclaims, "We constantly strive to
attract the finest artists in the world and bring their works to our
community. We feel that San Antonio has the potential to be one of the fine
art destinations of the world, and that our city truly deserves the best in
art exhibitions and education. The popularity of our annual Russian exhibit
proves that San Antonio agrees. That is why we are so proud to host a show
of this magnitude."
For more information about this important exhibition, please contact Clint
Watson at 210-828-6491 or visit www.GreenhouseGallery.com.