About the Artist: Vladimir Gorsky

 

Vladimir Gorsky arrived in the US as a penniless immigrant from Russia, determined to succeed as an artist. His journey, marked by resilience and unwavering dedication, has made a significant impact on the global art scene. Gorsky's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the transformative potential of art.

In the Soviet Union era, artists like Vladimir Gorsky were used as instruments of propaganda, tasked with painting portraits of government leaders and political posters for government plants, factories, collective farms, movie theaters, and concert halls. Their imagery often depicted the working man and peasant woman working together to create a bright future. Despite these official duties, Gorsky took on commission work secretly, as straying too far from the norm could lead to imprisonment.

Gorsky's father left the USSR in 1974 for the United States. Ten years later, Gorsky applied for a visa to visit him but was denied, resulting in significant hardships. The authorities fired him and stopped commissioning his art. Efforts to emigrate were thwarted until Senator Gary Hart intervened, meeting with Gorbachev and arranging Gorsky's emigration.

Committed to his artistic career, Gorsky faced the challenge of establishing himself in America. His Russian art teacher warned of fierce competition, but Gorsky was determined. Before leaving, his father advised against bringing art supplies, promising better-quality materials in the U.S. However, Gorsky found that high-quality brushes and paint were expensive.

Initially, Gorsky worked various jobs, including as a docker and a color separator in a silkscreen shop. His artistic talent was recognized, and he created his first painting on rice paper, combining Chinese and Russian influences. In 1988, he became an independent artist, holding his first one-man show in Houston in 1989, which was a great success.

Gorsky continued to create diverse works, painting for dealers, galleries, and private clients. He exhibited at the NY ArtExpo from 1989 and began creating traditional wooden Russian Easter eggs adorned with religious subjects, fairy tales, and portraits. His eggs, embellished with 24K gold leaf and precious stones, sold for up to $3,000 each.

In 1995, Gorsky exhibited his Russian Fairy Tale series for the final time in Las Vegas. He then focused on traditional oil portraits, including commissions for former President George H.W. Bush and Senator Gary Hart. His travels inspired a series of European city scenes and historical works like "From Depths of Ages." His major project, "Tapestry of the Centuries," a 9’ x 18’ depiction of 2000 years of world history, debuted in 1999 and toured the U.S., raising funds for various charities.

In 2003, Gorsky began a series of Pop Art portraits featuring movie stars, rock stars, and famous icons. Gorsky's work is celebrated for its dynamic use of color and unique ability to blend realism with stylized abstraction. Many of his iconic pieces, including Tapestry of the Centuries, and portraits of Clint Eastwood, Audrey Hepburn, Albert Einstein, and Donald Trump, are available for purchase at Fabrication Street. These remarkable pieces are available as framed giclée prints and giclée canvas prints. Highly sought after by collectors and art enthusiasts, they offer an exceptional opportunity to own a piece of contemporary art history, solidifying Vladimir Gorsky's esteemed reputation in the modern art scene.