The Russian Academy Of Arts

On May 27, 2023 passed away one of the founders of the Moscow conceptualism, graphic artist, author of public art projects and installations, Honorary Foreign Member of the Russian Academy of Arts Ilya Kabakov.

The President of the Russian Academy of Arts Zurab Tsereteli has expressed his condolences:

     “It has been with deep sorrow, that the Russian Academy of Arts learnt about the death of the world renowned artist, Honorary Member of the Russian Academy of Arts Ilya Kabakov (1933   -2023). The man-philosopher, one of the most famous contemporary Russian artists he looked for his way in art on his own working in difficult conditions for a creative person. Ilya Kabakov finished the Leningrad Art School and after the War graduated from V. Surikov Moscow Art Institute. He was engaged in the book design and illustration of children’s magazines. Despite the difficult circumstances he found his own art style, explored the immaterial world, became an author of conceptual artworks, created the new genre of the “total installation” combining various types of art, authored several books. After his immigration in 1988, he was given possibilities for exhibiting his works in the United States and Europe, in Japan and other countries. In 2018, the major retrospectives of his works took place in the Hermitage (St. Petersburg) and the Tretyakov Gallery (Moscow). The winner of many professional awards, the holder of the Russian Academy of Arts’ “Oder for Services to Art” and the “Medal for Services to the Academy”, experimenter and symbolist, he has enjoyed great authority among artists and love of the viewers.      

     This is a big loss for Russian and world art. On behalf of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Arts I express our deep condolences to Emilia Kabakova, his family, friends and near ones”.

                                 Zurab Tsereteli, President of the Russian Academy of Arts  

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