Alex Garikovich is a contemporary artist who works with various art techniques, from traditional painting to video art. His path began in 2000 when Alex began his work in contemporary art by submitting his graphic works to the annual reporting exhibition of the Moscow Union of Artists. Since then, he has become a prizewinner and finalist of many international awards, participated in an enormous number of exhibitions, and immersed himself as a curator. His artworks have received acclaim from gallerists, art critics, and curators, covered by a variety of media.
Alex's artworks explore severe social themes and problems of states that are close and familiar to him, Russia, where he was born and Ukraine, where since 2004, he has often lived, traveled, worked, and actively participated in various art events. Moreover, the artist reflected on the current world issues of society as a whole.
The central theme of Alex Garikovich's work is a person who has acquired “learned helplessness”, and who himself deprives of happiness and freedom. He had been injured so many times that he became submissive, stopped trying to break free from captivity, and avoided hostile environments even when the opportunity presented itself.
Alex's artworks explore severe social themes and problems of states that are close and familiar to him, Russia, where he was born and Ukraine, where since 2004, he has often lived, traveled, worked, and actively participated in various art events. Moreover, the artist reflected on the current world issues of society as a whole.
The central theme of Alex Garikovich's work is a person who has acquired “learned helplessness”, and who himself deprives of happiness and freedom. He had been injured so many times that he became submissive, stopped trying to break free from captivity, and avoided hostile environments even when the opportunity presented itself.
The artist states the following questions: What effect have politics and society had on his decisions? Can a person in a totalitarian society count on progress and development? Who can limit his freedom, not only internal but also physical? And the heroes of Alex's artworks try to answer these questions. They live through all of the stages: fight invisible enemies and with themselves, get angry, fear, delusion, cling to the past, live by inertia, resign themselves, and finally begin to think on their own, leading themselves to freedom.
The themes of Alex's work are closely intertwined with his active citizenship: he has been taking part in exhibitions in support of political prisoners in Russia, directly challenged the regime, openly spoke against the annexation of Crimea, and participated in protests. In this regard, many of Alex's exhibitions were persecuted and harassed for his position and open statements in art.
Alex works with various artistic techniques - traditional painting, graphics, photography, installation, sculpture, and video art, often mixing techniques in his projects. The media helps to express and convey the idea of the work even more accurately: in sculpture, Alexey uses fireclay - rough clay that holds its shape well and looks more natural, without the alignment inherent in faience. In his installations, Alex often refers to objects that are connected with the past, maybe even with childhood, which helps the viewer to travel back and associatively analyze the events that shaped his personality. The artist often exhibits paintings along with sculptures, creating a single composition.
The themes of Alex's work are closely intertwined with his active citizenship: he has been taking part in exhibitions in support of political prisoners in Russia, directly challenged the regime, openly spoke against the annexation of Crimea, and participated in protests. In this regard, many of Alex's exhibitions were persecuted and harassed for his position and open statements in art.
Alex works with various artistic techniques - traditional painting, graphics, photography, installation, sculpture, and video art, often mixing techniques in his projects. The media helps to express and convey the idea of the work even more accurately: in sculpture, Alexey uses fireclay - rough clay that holds its shape well and looks more natural, without the alignment inherent in faience. In his installations, Alex often refers to objects that are connected with the past, maybe even with childhood, which helps the viewer to travel back and associatively analyze the events that shaped his personality. The artist often exhibits paintings along with sculptures, creating a single composition.
In March 2022, immediately after the start of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, Alex moved to Georgia, Tbilisi, where he became the curator of a charity exhibition at the Emigration for Action Foundation, which specializes in helping Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war in Georgia. Alex's current new project, which he is currently working on, is called Eternal February.
ART
Acrylic on canvas, 120 x 100 cm
A Hostage, 2008
Acrylic on canvas, 80 x 60 cm
Hostage 2, 2022
Acrylic on canvas, 90 x 60 cm
The Fighter, 2014
Acrylic on canvas, 60 x 40 cm
Idol , 2022
Idol , 2022
Acrylic on canvas, 60 x 40 cm
Idol , 2022
Acrylic on canvas, 60 x 90 cm
Acrylic on canvas, 120 x 90 cm
A trail of cocaine on the compass needle, 2019
Acrylic on canvas, 70 x 90 cm
Mr. President, 2006
My bread, 2007
Acrylic on canvas, 70 x 90 cm
Acrylic on canvas, 90 x 90 cm
Homeland, 2008
Acrylic on canvas, 90 x 120 cm
Peace Talks 2022
Acrylic on paper, 60 x 40 cm
Social Protection, 2008
Acrylic on canvas, 120 x 90 cm
Career Growth, 2007
Oil on canvas, 75 x 55 cm
Mentality, 2002
Acrylic on canvas, 80 x 70 cm
A General, 2004
Acrylic on paperboard, 90 x 120 cm
Censorship, 2012
Acrylic on canvas, 60 x 80 cm
The revolution dismantled for souvenirs, 2017
Acrylic on paperboard, 50 x 40 cm
Song of the Motherland, 2011
Acrylic on paperboard, 50 x 40 cm
Song of the Motherland, 2011
Coat of Arms
«Coat of Arms» series is made in bright colors with well known ornamental patterns. Patterns that entered our lives so profoundly that we perceive them as a background to our daily lives or as a decorative representation of life. It is scary that aggression becomes an integral part of life.
For example, an assembly of Kalashnikov rifles attempts to form a figure of the Russian national symbol: Double-headed eagle. Similarly, weapons are prominently featured as the national symbols of the USA, Ukraine, UK, Israel, France and Germany.
Seven paintings in the series “Coat of Arms” have a common theme. Each painting represents a national symbol made up of rifles engraved on the surface of a medieval shield. The series illustrates the primitive and carnal nature of human development which is intervened with aggressive politics of the countries engaged in weapon’s production.
Acrylic on canvas, 80 x 60 cm
British coat of arms, 2014
Acrylic on canvas, 80 x 60 cm
French coat of arms, 2014
Acrylic on canvas, 80 x 60 cm
American coat of arms, 2014
Israeli coat of arms
Acrylic, Canvas
80 x 60 cm
80 x 60 cm
Russian coat of arms
Acrylic, Canvas
80 x 60 cm
80 x 60 cm
German coat of arms
Acrylic, Canvas
80 x 60 cm
80 x 60 cm
Ukrainian coat of arms
Acrylic, Canvas
80 x 60 cm
80 x 60 cm
Acrylic on canvas, 80 x 60 cm
British coat of arms, 2014
Acrylic on canvas, 80 x 60 cm
French coat of arms, 2014
Acrylic on canvas, 80 x 60 cm
American coat of arms, 2014
Israeli coat of arms
Acrylic, Canvas
80 x 60 cm
80 x 60 cm
Russian coat of arms
Acrylic, Canvas
80 x 60 cm
80 x 60 cm
German coat of arms
Acrylic, Canvas
80 x 60 cm
80 x 60 cm
Ukrainian coat of arms
Acrylic, Canvas
80 x 60 cm
80 x 60 cm
Graphics
Ink on paper, 60 x 60 cm
A Theory of Violence, 2009
Ink on paper, 60 x 40 cm
Propaganda, 2022
Ink on paper, 60 x 40 cm
Referendum, 2022
Ink on paper, 30 x 40 cm
The Eternal February, 2022
Ink on paper, 40 x 30 cm
Ukraine, 2014
Ink on paper, 40 x 30 cm
God Forbid you get a soldier’s face, 2014
Ink on paper, 20 x 30 cm
Lawlessness, 2021
Ink on paper, 60 x 40 cm
Escape, 2009
Ink on paper, 60 x 40 cm
Petersburg, 2009
Ink on paper, 15 x 20 cm
Luzhin’s Defense, 2002
Ink on paper, 30 x 20 cm
Temple of Whales, 2004
Ink and watercolour on paper, 40 x 30 cm
And the snow is terribly pale, 2016
Digital
Bank of snow, 2021
Digital
The War #1, 2022
Digital
The War #2, 2022
Digital
The War #3, 2022
Objects
Mixed media: Wood, Paper, Chamotte, Acrylic on canvas
The War, 2013-2022
Mixed media: Chamotte, Wood, Metall, Plastic, 25 x 10 cm
Leading figure, 2012
Mixed media: Wood, Acrylic, Chamotte, 20 cm
Grandma with the Pussy Riot icon at the procession, 2012
Mixed media: Chamotte, Wood, 40 x 50 cm
Ear-Axe, 2012
Mixed media: Chamotte, Wood, 50 x 40 cm
Knife-Tongue
Mixed media: Wood, Glass Fibre, Acrylic
The cloud, 2013
Mixed media: Wood, Furskin, Glass, 50 x 40 cm
Stew, 2009-2013
Mixed media: Wood, Furskin, Glass, 50 x 40 cm
Stew, 2009-2013
Gypsum, 130x40x30 cm
Save The White Dolphin, 2012
Mixed media: Wood, Paper, Acrylic, Chamotte
Bayan, 2009
Mixed media: Ceramoplastic, Acrylic, Metal, 60 x40 cm
Why me? 2009
Ceramoplastic, Acrylic, Metall
Why him? 2009
Mixed media: Ceramoplastic, Acrylic, Plastic, 60 x 40 cm
Why me? 2009
Mixed media: Ceramoplastic, Acrylic, 60 x 40 cm
Why me? 2009
Artist's Self-defense
Alex's project “Artist's Self-defense” consists of three parts -a series of 6 works in mixed technique, a photo comic, and a graphic manual. It is more a manifesto than an art project. The state is trying to violate the artist's personal space, intervening in the artistic statement and forcing him/her to act as a propagandist, culturing the authorities' demands. But the true artist cannot play under these rules and chooses to speak the truth. Because of that, the artist needs internal protection to assert his boundaries and become free. “Artist's Self-defense” gives possible instructions on how to protect themselves with brushes and paints.
Artist's Self-Defense, 2007
Digital
Digital
Artist's Self-Defense, 2007
Photography
Photography
Artist's Self-Defense, 2007
Mixed media: Wood, Plastic, Metal, Mirror, rubber, 40 х 30 cm
Mixed media: Wood, Plastic, Metal, Mirror, rubber, 40 х 30 cm
Artist's Self-Defense, 2007
Digital
Digital
Artist's Self-Defense, 2007
Photography
Photography
Artist's Self-Defense, 2007
Mixed media: Wood, Plastic, Metal, Mirror, rubber, 40 х 30 cm
Mixed media: Wood, Plastic, Metal, Mirror, rubber, 40 х 30 cm
Outdoor
art
Monument was the object of the significant international media coverage (Reuters, etc)
Moscow, Kholodilniy Lane, 3/8
Monument to a Courier erected in Moscow 2020
Russia’s State Exhibit Park in August of 2021
Reading room erected at VDNH
Pending installation; postponed due to government ban
Sketch of the monument to Nemtsov
infomation
Exhibitions
2007-2023
+
- III Biennale of contemporary art. Special project “Dormitory District”
- Since 2010 took part in exhibitions supporting political prisoners
- Exhibition "Infrastructure" Moscow
- Organizer and curator of the independent festival "Hey, dude! Go! Here!" Moscow
- Exhibition "Dormitory District - Stop “ The School" Moscow
- Exhibition in support of political prisoner Sergei Mokhnatkin at the Sakharov Museum and Public Center
- Exhibition in Support of Political Prisoner and Organizer of Mayakovsky Readings Matvei Krylov, Zverev Center, Moscow
- LOOKING EASTWARD, Residence Foundation "Benetton", Treviso, Italy
- 4th Moscow Biennale of Contemporary Art
- Found «It’s not here» (Eto ne zdes’) art space;
- Found «The Window leaf exhibitions» (collaboration with artists Andrey Mitenev and Sergey Prokofiev) article
- Protest against Putin "Plenary "White Canvases", Moscow )
- Took part in "Occupy Abay" manifestations and made project to support the Pussy Riot - "The Icon"
- Street exhibition “Nomadic museum of contemporary artist”
- Group Exhibition “La valigia del Signor Luciano. La collezione dei quadri e i viaggi di Luciano Benetton”, Casabella laboratorio, Milan, Italy
- «Eleven Three» Arts Chronicles curator and artist
- 5th Moscow Biennale of Contemporary Art. Main program. Manezh Museum Moscow
- Project “Almaty: The city as a canvas”
- Group Exhibition “La valigia del Signor Luciano. La collezione dei quadri e i viaggi di Luciano Benetton”, Fondazione Benetton Studi Ricerche, Treviso, Italy
- Manifest 10, «Calm light» project
- Exhibition of the parallel program of the IV Moscow Biennale. Project "Coat of arms”. A series of six paintings.
- Festival of Kasparov's opposition coalition "KULTURUS
- Group Exhibition “Imago Mundi, The Art of Humanity”, part of Dak’Art Off
- 11th edition of the Biennale of Contemporary African Art, Dakar, Senegal
- Exhibition “Makhorka” Gallery A3
- Group Exhibition “Under One Sky”, tour exhibition in China
- Exhibition-auction for the fund "Emigration for Action". Curator and artist.
- Group Exhibition “Parallel 42”, COD/ The Center for Openness and Dialogue”, Tirana, Albania.
- Monument to a Courier erected in Moscow 2020
- The 6th festival of street art "Empty, project "Tablet"
- «Champ de Mars», Gallery «M'ARS», Moscow
- "Kandinsky Prize”, Winzavod Art Space, Moscow
- “ADAPTATION”, Gallery «M'ARS», Moscow
- "Memorial" competition for the design of the Yeltsin monument, ART4.RU Museum of Contemporary Art, Moscow.
- Kandinsky Prize nominee exhibition, Palazzo Italia. Germany, Berlin
- Exhibition of Kandinsky Prize nominees, Latvian Railway History Museum. Latvia, Riga
- Exhibition "Ecology of perception 2"
- Solo Exhibition "Esqape", Antwerp, Belgium.
- "ARTLooK", Bookafe, Moscow
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2017
2016-2018
2022
2021
2020
- Personal Exhibition «Eternal February» UGallery, Tbilisi.
- Group Exhibition with «Hostage» painting. CICA Museum, Ceul, Korea
- Vogue | 6th Edition, Boomer Gallery. London, UK
2023
Achievements
8
+
2020
- Part of the Garage museum archive
2012
- 2012 Kandinsky Prize Nominee (Media Art Project of the Year) with the collective project "White Canvas”
2011
- The work «Song of the Motherland» is part of the Imago Mundi collection promoted by Luciano Benethon
- Nominee for the Kuryokhin Prize
2009
- Kandinsky Prize Nominee (Media Art Project of the Year, Young Artist of the Year)
2007
- Tretyakov Prize Finalist (Tretyakov Gallery)
- Kandinsky Prize Finalist (Young Artist of the Year)
- Eidos Prize Winner (Bereznitskaya Foundation, Ukraine)
Media Publication
16
+