Fishing Painting

Vladimir Bukiya is a fascinating artistic talent, who constantly explors new techniques, new subject matter and new modes of plastic representation ranging from detailed Renaissance-type frescos to completely abstract sculptural forms attached to panels. He is originally from Georgia in the Soviet Union. He spent close to five decades in Moscow, before moving to the United States a few years ago. The diversity within Mr. Bukiya's artistic production and his intellectual restlessness and explorations make it difficult to decide where to begin a discussion of his art. However, the genius of his frescos with their masterful stylistic elements such as the draftsmanship, the modeling of forms with light and shade to create their volume, the placement of the forms within the well-established picture space, the vitality and naturalistic movements and expressions of the figures, and the ordered balanced compositions, serve as an introduction to Vladimir Bukiya and his extraordinary talent. His series of naturalistically rendered portraits of Renaissance artists reference the Old Masters in stylistic characteristics. These classical portraits are imbued with beauty, wonderful observations, naturalistic presentations, adept linear draftsmanship and a masterful use of chiaroscuro to model the forms. These classical elements form the basis of much of Mr. Bukiya’s representational work throughout his career. Naturalistic winter landscapes, seascapes, realistically painted still lives and portraits are all part of the artist’s production. Vladimir Bukiya is strongly influenced by the traditional Russian icons of his culture. He has created a spectacular series of them featuring Christ on the Cross, St. George Slaying the Dragon, the Madonna and Child and other religious scenes. These icons reference the Russian Byzantine icons of his heritage and are presented by the artist with freshness and vitality. These scenes are created with an enamel technique that Vladimir Bukiya has created himself. He uses enamel powder (almost as if using paint) to create the scenes and then he bakes the enamel in special ovens to produce the finished products. This “enamel painting” process is a laborious and distinctive method which the artist employs regularly and lovingly throughout his career in works ranging from total non-objective color pictures to scenes from Georgian life. The icons that Mr.