While art is taking on new forms in most of the modern world, Russia has experienced a enthusiastic resurgence in realist painting. Vasily Kursaksaka, a young artist stationed in Sergiev Posad, an ancient spiritual center in Russia, creates works that capture quiet rural scenes. Here are his own thoughts about painting:
“An artist is a director. Creating a painting is like shooting a big movie. That is, the artist inserts into the picture those feelings that he wants the viewer wants to see, and if the viewer feels it, then the picture has been implemented successfully.
Yuriev on the Volga
I want a person to look at a picture and have genuine feelings awaken in him. So that the dirt that darkens the soul would fly away away from it. With time, so all that is unnatural, contrived, artificial, and the veil from the eyes of people, and hardness, and bitterness would fall away. When a person smiles at something natural and alive, other, genuine feelings awaken in him. He remembers them, they have been laid inside him, in his soul. I believe that painting should be positive, and I strive for this myself.
Yuriev Polsky, 2018
The more untouched the place, the more interesting it is for me as an artist. Previously, everything was broken down to be rebuilt, and now everything is being replaced with cottages and mansions. People purposely burn down old houses to build a mansion or a multi-story building on the ashes. The theme of my work is the discovery of new pearls of Russia, which, believe me, exist in a huge amount; it is our real treasure, one which, on the one hand, is destroyed by time, and on the other, not touched by civilization.
Suzdal, sleigh horses, 2018
Each ancient Russian city is so peculiar and not like any other that one wonders; the main thing is to catch and feel its spirit. And this can be done only by constant observation – at different times of the day, at different times of the year. If is felt, felt inside oneself, understood with all one’s inner being, then yes, the picture can turn out well. ”
An Autumn breeze, 2018
Old Rostov, 2012
Rostov the Great, 2012
Crows
Ples on the Volga, 2011
Sunrise, 2015
Solovki Islands, 2018
Karelian houses, 2006
A tugboat on the Neva, 2018
Italy, 2013
Sum River, 2017
Moscow after the rain, 2018
The Yaroslav Train Station, 2012
Swimming, 2010
Russian spirit, 2018
A rural yard, 2018
Urzhum, in Vyatka, 2018
The Monastery courtyard, 2015
Returning from a watering, 2008
The Lavra at dawn, 2018
Winter in Sergiev Posad, 2018
A frosty day, 2019
In Susannino in the spring, 2018
A house in Susannino, 2018
About the author
Education and awards:
- • 2001-2007, Russian Academy of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture;
- • 2008-2012, Painting studio RAKh, under the guidance of A. P. Tkachev;
- • Member of the Russian Artists’ Union;
- • Member of Moscow Artists’ Union, Painters’ Society;
- • Member-correspondent o the International Academy of Culture and Arts;
- • Member-correspondent of the Russian Academy of Arts.
During the period between 2007–2018, the artist created over 1000 works and organized over 30 personal exhibitions, as well as publishing around 40 articles and memoirs in literary publications on the creative activities of artists.
Permanent member of the All-Russian International Exhibitions.
The artist is a Laureate of numerous prizes and awards in the arts.
Vasily’s works are located in seven museums in Russia, in museums in China, Italy, and in private collections in Russia, Germany, and the U.S.
He lives and works in Sergiev Posad.
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