Evgeny Chubarov portrait. Photo credit: Gary Tatintsian Gallery, via Wikipedia.
Evgeny Chubarov (1934–2012) was a Russian painter and sculptor, renowned for his transition from figurative art to pure abstraction, which he developed over decades while working in Moscow, Berlin, and New York. His dynamic compositions, filled with bold lines and intense brushstrokes, challenge traditional artistic norms and reflect his deep engagement with the expressive potential of abstract art.
Biography
Evgeny Iosifovich Chubarov (Russian: Евгений Иосифович Чубаров; 11 December 1934 – 5 December 2012) was a multifaceted Russian artist, known for his work as a painter, sculptor, and graphic artist.
Chubarov was born on 11 December 1934 in the village of Yemashi, Bashkiria. His parents, Yosif Grigoryevich and Anastasya Pavlovna, were Orthodox Russians. His father passed away during World War II, in 1943, leaving a significant impact on the young Chubarov's life.
In 1959, Chubarov moved to Saratov and later to Zagorsk (now Sergiev Posad), where he worked at the studio of sculptor Dmitry Tsaplin. During this period, he married Lyudmila Gukovich, and his early works, such as March and Factory Landscape, reflected his focus on industrial themes and everyday Soviet life. Despite working under political pressure, he developed an interest in sculpture, particularly wooden pieces that were life-size and often compared to photographs of victims from Auschwitz.
By the 1970s and 80s, Chubarov moved from simple compositions to more complex, multi-figure scenes. His works, heavily influenced by artists like Bosch, Grigoriev, and Filonov, showed crowded, tense canvases filled with intertwined figures. This period marked his evolution towards abstraction, as seen in works like Fight (1982), where the boundary between the body and the canvas dissolved, signaling his shift to more abstract interpretations.
In the 1990s, Chubarov relocated to Berlin and New York, where his style matured into pure abstraction. He participated in major international exhibitions, earning a Pollock-Krasner Foundation grant. His work became known for its monumental abstract forms, which lacked a traditional focal point, offering a new level of intellectual expression.
The Evgeny Chubarov Foundation, established in 2013 after his death, aims to preserve and promote his legacy. The Foundation collaborates with museums and collectors to exhibit his works, ensuring his contributions to abstract art continue to inspire future generations.
Style and Movement
Evgeny Chubarov’s work blends Abstract Expressionism with influences from Russian avant-garde and Byzantine iconography. His paintings are known for their chaotic, rhythmic brushstrokes and large-scale canvases that reject traditional compositional balance. This approach lends his works a sense of unpredictability and dynamism, evoking what some critics have called a visual "symphony." Chubarov’s artistic journey is marked by his continuous exploration of abstraction, particularly from the 1990s onwards.
Famous Works
Among his most famous works are his untitled pieces from the 1990s, which reflect his shift toward pure abstraction. These works, featuring vivid colors or sharp black-and-white contrasts, have been exhibited at major venues such as the Gary Tatintsian Gallery and the State Russian Museum. Particularly noteworthy is his Berlin Works series, created during his time in Germany, which is emblematic of his mature abstract style. This series was celebrated in solo exhibitions like the 2016 show at the Osthaus Museum in Hagen.
Exhibitions and Art Market
Chubarov’s monumental artworks have been showcased in prestigious venues across Europe and the United States, and later in Russia. His work was featured alongside 20th-century masters like Mel Bochner, Frank Stella, Sol LeWitt, Damien Hirst, Peter Halley, and Stephan Balkenhol in group exhibitions. A series of his multi-figure compositions became part of the permanent collection at the State Tretyakov Gallery.
In 2015, the Gary Tatintsian Gallery in Moscow held a memorial exhibition in honor of Chubarov's 80th birthday. A year later, in August 2016, his solo exhibition titled "The Berlin Works" was hosted by the Osthaus-Museum Hagen in Germany.
Solo Exhibitions:
- 2016 – "The Berlin Works", Osthaus-Museum Hagen, Germany.
- 2015 – Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow, Russia.
- 2014 – "80th Anniversary of Evgeny Chubarov", National Centre for Contemporary Arts, Moscow, Russia.
- 2007 – Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow, Russia.
- 2004 – "Return to the Abstract", State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia.
- 2003 – Gary Tatintsian Gallery, New York, USA.
Group Exhibitions:
- 2009 – "Price Of Oil", Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow, Russia.
- 1999 – Group show with Sol LeWitt and Mel Bochner, Gary Tatintsian Gallery, New York, USA.
- 1989 – "Paradoxes of the Corporeal", Municipal Gallery A-3, Moscow, Russia.
Selected Public Collections:
- Pushkin Museum, Moscow, Russia.
- Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia.
- Rutgers University Museum, New Jersey, USA.
- Moscow Museum of Modern Art, Moscow, Russia.
- Muzeon Park of Arts, Moscow, Russia.
Influence on Other Artists
Chubarov’s abstract work, particularly his ability to merge Eastern and Western artistic traditions, has inspired contemporary abstract painters who explore the boundaries between gesture and form. His impact is especially noted among artists working in abstract expressionism and those who seek to break away from traditional artistic canons.
Lesser-Known Facts
Few people know that Chubarov began his career as a jewelry designer and weapons engraver, skills that contributed to the precision and detail found in his later abstract works. Additionally, his interest in medieval relics and Christian iconography often informed his visual language, giving his abstract pieces a spiritual depth.
Evgeny Chubarov’s contribution to the art world lies in his ability to bridge the gap between figurative and abstract expression. His bold, dynamic compositions continue to resonate with audiences and influence the next generation of abstract artists. His legacy endures through the exhibitions of his works and the ongoing efforts of the Chubarov Foundation.
Selena Mattei
| ArtMajeur Magazine
