Anatoly Osmolovsky RUS, b. 1969

Anatoly Osmolovsky was born in Moscow in 1969. At the turn of the 1980s to 90s he underwent a shift in focus from the composition of poetry and research into the theory of cinematography and figurative art to performance, gaining almost immediate recognition on the Moscow arts scene. He took a major role in the activities of the group ‘Ministry PRO USSR’ (1987-1990), the movement ‘E.A.T’ (Expropriation of Art Territories) (1989-1992) and the ‘Nezesudik: Revolutionary Competitive Program’ (1992-94). He also contributed to the creation of the ‘Radek’ group, and remains the chief editor of the publication which shares its name. In 1998 he organised the ‘Non-Governmental Control Commission’ group and the movement ‘Vote against everyone! Now.’ He currently plays an important role as a social activist and as the creator of the ‘Baza’ Institute of Contemporary Art.

 

Anatoly Osmolovsky has earned the right to be called the ‘leading political artist in Russia’. In the course of the last two decades he has become known as a figure that has, on multiple occasions, been responsible for redirecting the trajectory of Russian contemporary art. He was one of the founders and leading figures of ‘Moscow Actionism’ in the 90s, and at the turn of the century he was responsible for the emergence of ‘Non-Spectacular’ art in Russia, even if several years later he then declared a return to the ‘creation of art’ and the exploration of its formal foundations and fundamental structures. The renewal of Osmolovsky’s work ranges from radical and provocative performances, made for example at the Biennials of Nineties, to the most recent and iconic wooden sculptures (Bread Series) exhibited also at Documenta in 1997.

 

He participated in the 4th Istanbul Bienniale (1992), Aperto’93 (45th Venice Bienniale), 25th Sao Paulo Bienniale (2002), Documenta XII (2007), Parallel Convergences (2013, 55th Venice Bienniale) and many other international exhibitions and forums. He received Kunstlerhaus Bethanien scholarship (1995), and was awarded the Kandinsky Prize as the “Artist of the Year” (2007). His works are held in many prestigious museum and private collections. Osmolovsky lives and works in Moscow. His works are included in several museums and private collections around the world, such as: EVN Collection, Maria Enzersdorf (Austria), Moderna Galerija Ljubljana (Ljubljana), Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp (Belgium), State Tretyakov Gallery (Russia), Art4.ru Museum (Russia).