Artistic celebration of diplomatic relations

The Russian centre will hold an art exhibition of Valeriy Belenikin to celebrate 55 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Russia. It will be held at Palm Lounge, Galle Face Hotel, On February 19 at 6.30 pm.

Born at Moscow in 1961, Valeriy Belenikin is a graduate of the Moscow Academy of Fine Arts named after V I Surikov.

The artist's conception of his work is based upon truth and the mystery of this life.

He is in awe of all that takes place in this world. Not only human banality, but all that is best in humanity occupy the thoughts of the true artist.

As master of various artistic techniques (murals, frescoes, mosaics) he is easily able to communicate his innermost emotions and feelings. Valeriy’s initial works are housed in public buildings and cultural centres in Moscow, St. Petersberg, Vienna and Melbourne. Based on his paintings lectures are currently being delivered at the Institute of Humanitarian Studies, Melbourne University.

In addition, his paintings are to be found not only in public foundations such as the State House of Lieutenant Governor (USA), ING Bank (Vienna and Paris), the Russian Cultural Centre (Moscow), the Gallery Mars (Moscow), but also in many private and corporate collections the world over: Russia, France, Germany, USA, Italy, Japan, Belgium, Argentina, Syria, Australia, Holland, Sweden, Switzerland and Greece.

At the present time Valeriy is actively and productively engaged in the realisation of his own artistic plans, which plans will hopefully enrich world culture. Valeriy’s first language may be Russian, but the language of art is, after all is said and done, international in its scope.

Valeriy Belenikin may speak Russian, but he communicates in an international language. His is the language of narrative art, for his paintings often seek to tell a story. In Belenikin’s paintings you not only see art, but you are reading a work of art in the making: they do not have a traditional beginning, middle and end as a novel. Rather, they focus on a particular moment in time, a situation or event. For Valeriy Belenikin art becomes inextricably entwined with life itself.