The Innermost Man
In 1985 “Art in America”, an American magazine, from the works of hyperrealism artists from different countries chose two works of Bazilev “New Year” and “The Odor of Iodine”. The latter was declared to be the best work.
Sergey Bazilev has taken part in more than 50 group exhibitions and more than 20 solo exhibitions both in Russia and abroad. The outcome of his years of work is an incredible acclaim of his works – his paintings are included into the collections of The Tretyakov Gallery, The State Russian Museum, The Museum Ludwig (Germany), The Norton Dodge Museum (USA), Gallery Alpha Cubic (Japan).
Platonov’s works, especially the novella “The Innermost Man”, have a special significance to the artist. Bazilev like Platonov’s “innermost” people cannot be influenced by ideas of life of others. “Voronezh is not only “the place of energy”, but also “the place of unexpected joy of life” where Platonov’s carnival is still going on” – says the artist.
Hyperrealism in Russia appeared as an opposition of private life to the official Soviet reality. While hyperrealism in Europe visualized myths of the Consumption Era, hyperrealism in Russia showed private life of artists and the people close to them as a myth. Such works as “Sunlit”, “Travel Essays”, “Good Deeds”, “Toasts” and “Pink Wine” demonstrate an artist’s interest in an “innermost man” who is guided by love but not by an idea.
“Sergey Bazilev is on the peak of his career, he works a lot, – Oleg Zverev, an art expert, writes about the artist. – Scrupulousness of the depiction of things in his paintings doesn’t come first. Energy that emanates from his paintings and drama through colours come first”.
Sergey Bazilev visited Voronezh last year. His exhibition “Arkadya” was a real success among the visitors.
