IGOR SMIRNOV

Between the 

Moment and Eternity 

Igor Smirnov, a son of famous Russian landscape artist Vasili Smirnov, began painting when he was remarkably young. Eventually, he developed his own unique style of ‘symbolic realism’. It bears no resemblance to either socialistic realism or any of the many avant-garde ‘isms’ of the twentieth century. The artist considers a piece of art as a source of information presented in symbolic form that is associated with a contemporary audience as a virtual space of our spiritual life. Igor Smirnov began his art career at the College of Fine Art.

Then he obtained an M.S. in Engineering & Design at the Naval Academy, where his rich depth as an artist was enhanced by the knowledge of geometric forms and proportions. Later he spent two years restoring priceless icons and paintings at the Russian Museum of Art and the Museum of Urban Sculpture in St Petersburg, Russia. From the early 1980s he participated in the movement of non-conformist or ‘underground’ art in Russia. 

Igor Smirnov’s artworks attracted the attention of John Whitehead, the US Deputy Secretary of State, when he visited Moscow in the December of 1987 in preparation for the meeting between President Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Following Mr Whitehead’s personal request to the Soviet Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Shevardnadze, the authorities of the USSR allowed Igor Smirnov to emigrate to the United States. The artist happily settled in California, enjoying the benefits and stimulation of the modern environment. 

Since that time, Igor Smirnov has gained worldwide recognition, with his paintings displayed in museums and galleries in the United States, Europe, Asia and Russia.

Contact details of the artist

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