The Russian Academy Of Arts

President Dmitry Medvedev congratulated the Full Member of the Russian Academy of Arts, People’s Artist of the Russian Federation, Member of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Arts Albina Akritas on  her 75th anniversary. The telegram of greetings, in particular, runs:

 

“I would like to extend to you my sincere congratulations and best wishes on your anniversary. A talented  artist, a recognized master of graphic art, you  have worked your efficient professional way and created many remarkable works which are in collections of major museums in this country. Your art is a view of a person who loves the nature of the native land, feels the beauty and spiritual wealth of people. Such depth and sincerity have been highly appreciated by art lovers both in Russia and other countries.

 

I wish you good health and prosperity. Let inspiration and creative joy be your devoted companions”.

 

Albina Kritas was born in Moscow, later lived and studied in Tbilisi. In 1961 she graduated from I. Repin St. Petersburg Institute of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture.  She started out as an author of easel and monumental paintings, a number of mosaic panels and stained glasses. At the same time she took a great interest in graphic art and experimented in various graphic techniques including engraving on linoleum, dry needle, etching and lithography.

 

Her first series of engravings on linoleum was produced in 1966 and she has been true to her devotion to create series of works for all her creative life. Of special interest is the artist’s monumental cycle of seven huge panels on the topic “History of Psyche” executed for the White Hall of the Russian Academy of Arts.  Her wall paintings, depicting one of the most romantic legends of the ancient world, have returned the Hall its former grandeur and are an organic unity of architecture and painting.   

 

In her works one can clearly sense the two-way influence and combination of painting and graphic art. In her favorite engravings on cardboard she has achieved a play of tones so characteristic of painting, while her canvases by their concept and composition are similar to graphic works. Images of works by Albina Akritas belong simultaneously to the space of painting, poetry and music.

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