From Russia with art

Monday, November 1, 2010

RUSSIA has heady selection of art—from icon paintings, to decorative folk creations and abstract works, to monumental architecture like the Saint Basil’s Cathedral, and Smolny Cathedral in St. Petersburg. It is a country of great artistic wealth and rich history.

Cebu recently had a visit from Russia. It was the second time a Russian artist visited the southern island and had an exhibit in the city. The first one was five years ago when the surrealist/fantasy painter Natalya Ogneva showed her paintings at the SM Art center.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

As part of the cultural component of the “2nd Philippine Russian Business Forum and Exhibition” at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), Gregory Pototsky, a Russian painter and sculptor, was among his country’s delegates. The event included and art exhibit meant to strengthen the cultural relationship and diplomatic ties between Cebu and Russia.

In so saying, the art exhibit was also participated in by Cebuano painters, namely: Nomar Miano, Koki Olario-Miano, Tito Cuevas, Palmy Pe-Tudtud, Evan Bejec, Karl Roque, Jojo Sagayno, Russ Ligtas, Ondo Alcoseba, Fr. Jason Dy, Wesley Rasines, Florence Cinco, Jet Florendo, Adonis Durado, Radel Paredes and Josua Cabrera of Sun.Star Cebu.

You can say Cebu was treated to a great feast for the eyes, plus a look at Russian art through Pototsky, who had a fine collection of nude paintings for the exhibit. What’s more, he gave an art talk-cum-demonstration on sculpting.

While the artist gave his lecture, the audience saw him do a bust of someone he selected from the audience. A bust is a sculpted or cast representation of the upper part of the human figure.

Also during the event, the artist unveiled the monument of novelist Leo Tolstoy, who authored famous literary masterpieces like War and Peace and Anna Karenina. The bust, mounted on blue-grey marble, was created by Pototsky. You can find the monument at the CICC Park.

The sculpture is a great addition to the host of art in public spaces in the metro. And it is unprecedented because of all the nations that we have ties with, it is Russia that gave us a sculpture of one of its literary icons.

Cebu is grateful to Pototsky for his lecture and impressions, and it will be of value to Cebuanos for many generations to come. There should be more foreign artists coming to Cebu to help enrich the cache of knowledge among artists.