Grigory Gavrilenko

Born in Sumy region, Ukraine. Lived in Kiev. Graduated from Kiev Art Institute in 1955. Studied under Illarion Pleshchinsky. Was a member of the USSR Union of Artists. His works can be found in the Ukrainian museums and private collections.

Gavrilenko's art is a rare happening. Having mastered the drawing, the traditional painting to perfection, he was one of the very few artists in the Soviet Union to start experimenting with the form in the early 1960s, when most artists were still following the path of the Socialist Realism directed by the Party line. He created most beautiful abstract compositions, worthy of a special place in the history of Abstract Art. But it was the human image with which he was preoccupied most of his artistic life. Today art critics in Kiev and fellow artists consider Gavrilenko as one of the most significant of the Ukrainian artists. Those who seek the drama in art might not "understand" Gavrilenko. His art is of a silent, meditative quality and it speaks to the heart. Below are some of Gavrilenko's works from our collection - enjoy!