Nikolay Cherednichenko

…the rural surroundings of Yaroslavl, far north of Moscow, where the painter, sculptor and polymath Nikolay Cherednichenko has made his home for many years now. Born in Nakhodka, Russia, in 1958, he began painting relatively late, at the age of thirty-two. After several sojourns in both Switzerland and Australia, Cherednichenko developed his signature style as a great colourist, shown off to great effect in his now famous series of landscapes, cityscapes and floral compositions.

I am particularly drawn to Cherednichenko’s series of cityscapes, works such as “On the Island” (oil on canvas, 70 × 60 × 2.5 cm, 2016), where multi-layers of liquid classical buildings dissolve, and are reflected in the luscious azure blue sea. Here is a masterful palette — greens, blues and yellows dancing off each other in a hot cauldron of summer magic!

Deeply religious, Cherednichenko’s oeuvre explores complex Christian themes: “I don’t like saying they were painted — they were painted through me,” the artist explained. “Every time I hope for a miracle, no matter the technique — there must be something incomprehensible, something beyond reason — to me, that’s the Holy Spirit.”

Early in his career Cherednichenko was captivated by wooden sculpture. Influenced by both Picasso and Dalí, his work fluctuated from narrative themes to purely bold and innovative abstract works. Sculpture has continued to be important to him: his wry, surrealist pieces in foam, cork and wood, such as “Orchid” and “Idea”, are great examples of a master’s touch.