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Igor VoroshilovRussian artist, representative of unofficial art
Date of Birth: 01.01.1939
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Content:
- Igor Voroshilov: A Biographer of Unofficial Russian Art
- The Second Russian Avant-Garde
- Literary Pursuits
- Later Years
- Post-Mortem Recognition
Igor Voroshilov: A Biographer of Unofficial Russian Art
Early Life and Artistic BeginningsIgor Voroshilov was born into a family of Kuban Cossacks who were dispossessed and exiled to the Ural region during Stalin's collectivization. From a young age, he developed a passion for music and sports, later turning to the study of philosophy and religious literature. In 1957, he enrolled in the VGIK Institute of Cinematography, where he met the artist Alexander Vasiliev.
In 1958, Voroshilov's life took a pivotal turn when he encountered Vincent van Gogh's "Landscape in Auvers" at the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts. This experience inspired him to pursue a career in painting. He joined Vasiliev's group, where he encountered notable figures such as Vladimir Yakovlev, Vladimir Pyatnitsky, Anatoly Zverev, Gennady Aygi, Venedikt Yerofeyev, Igor Vulokh, and Mikhail Schwartzman.
The Second Russian Avant-Garde
Voroshilov became an active participant in the Second Russian Avant-Garde movement. His paintings and drawings drew the attention of collectors interested in nonconformist art, and his works were exhibited at the apartment of Vadim Stoller.
Literary Pursuits
Beyond his visual artwork, Voroshilov also wrote poetry, prose, and worked on an unfinished treatise titled "On Painting." He struggled financially and struggled with alcohol abuse, leading to multiple encounters with the police and imprisonment.
Later Years
In his final years, Voroshilov resided and worked in Verkhnyaya Pyshma. In 1988, his works were showcased in an exhibition in Kiev, which became his last solo exhibition before his untimely passing. Tragically, he died in 1989 after accidentally overdosing on sleeping pills.
Post-Mortem Recognition
Despite the difficulties he faced during his lifetime, Voroshilov's legacy was recognized posthumously. In 1990, his works were featured alongside those of Yakovlev and Zverev at the Diaghilev Center in Moscow. In 2007, his art was showcased in the "Generation" project at the Kino Gallery in Moscow.
