Sergey Sherstyuk, artist-hyperrealist: biography, personal life, creativity

Art is an incredibly multifaceted and diverse business. But in our country to this conclusion came, alas, not so long ago. For a long time, the Soviet dictatorship subjected to strict filter any manifestations of all non-standard and avant-garde, and such a creator as Sergey Sherstyuk experienced it on himself. Who was he in our history? What trace left? What do the pictures painted by Sergei Sherstyuk say?

Biography in brief facts

The creator, avant-garde and amateur of the most unconventional in art is a native of Soviet Moscow. Sergey Alexandrovich Sherstyuk was born in 1951 in the family of a respected general, and spent all his childhood in his native city.

Later, in his youth, the future artist goes to Kiev, where he enters the Republican Art School named after T.G. Shevchenko. In 1970, he finishes it and returns to Moscow, where he continues his studies at the Moscow State University at the Faculty of Theory and History of Arts.

Higher education Sergei Shestyuk received in 1979 and just a year later became a member of the association of young artists. 80th years for the creator became a difficult period. His style was not in demand in his native country, moreover, he was criticized.

Only in the nineties did the Russian public really recognize and understand who Sergei Sherstyuk is. The artist's paintings began to appear at exhibitions, the press began talking about him and the first Russian fans appeared, one might say.

Becoming a person

Speaking modern language, Sergei Sherstyuk in his youth was a representative of the "golden youth." The parental apartment on Tverskaya Street, the high title of father, first-class education and complete freedom of action are all that the younger generation of the 1970s could have dreamed of.

In most cases, adolescents living in similar conditions, and remained on the maintenance of their parents, having achieved nothing independently, but not Sergei Sherstyuk. Biography of the future artist - you can say nonsense, as he became one of the few who skillfully took advantage of the opportunities of parents and even multiplied them.

Young Sergei absorbed the mentality of two major cities - Kiev and Moscow. He got acquainted with people of different classes, managed to be inspired by the beauties of these capitals and skillfully laid it out in his art. Since then, as the artist returned to his native city, you can say he became a real creator.

Activities in the 80s

In 1980, Sergei Aleksandrovich Sherstyuk became a member of the association of young artists MOSH. His early works are presented at numerous exhibitions in Russia, but they find too few fans among the domestic public.

For this reason, the canvases of the beginning hyperrealist (it is in this genre that he wrote his works Sherstyuk) are sent to European expanses. Foreign audience perceived the Russian young creator very warmly, his works were devoted to whole events, and in the future the most famous of them went to the world museums.

So young and incredibly talented artist-hyper-realist Sergei Aleksandrovich Sherstyuk became known throughout the world. His work was recognized as one of the best in the field of contemporary art.

A new wave of inspiration

If the early canvases Sherstyuka can safely be entered in the section of hyperrealism, then with the onset of the 90s they began to gravitate toward metaphysics, became more unusual and mysterious. The stylistics and themes of the paintings have changed, they have acquired a deeper meaning, a certain mystery has arisen in them, but with all that bright colors have remained.

It is worth noting that Sergei Sherstyuk - an artist who could find inspiration in everything that surrounded him. Most likely the reason for the change of style was perestroika, as well as his personal life (more about this later).

Speaking of perestroika, it was thanks to this event that the domestic artist began to notice at home, began to take an interest and admire him. Sergei's paintings began to appear on Russian exhibitions of contemporary art, the press and guidebooks for art critics began talking about them.

Hyperrealism in Painting

Well, it's time to take a closer look at Sergei's canvases, unravel their secret meaning and understand philosophy. Yes, about the latter it is worth saying that it is precisely philosophy, hidden symbolism and endless coded signs that impregnate all his works.

In most cases, Sherstyuk painted still lifes. They were depicted extremely simple and ordinary things - apples, pears, peaches, other fruits. In these images the creator encoded an abstract meaning. Fruit division could symbolize the male and female principle. If the item was repeatedly repeated as a copy and at the same time went into perspective - then the author tried to show how monotonous and boring the modern society.

Similarly, Sergei Sherstyuk expressed problems and questions that were key to people. He did not shout about it, but subtly hinted, being sure that those who need it, will certainly understand this issue.

What museums are the canvases of the creator?

Due to the fact that for a long time Soviet Russia did not recognize a genius in the field of hyperrealism, his work was not entrenched in domestic museums. However, European and American galleries have found it an honor to place on their walls the canvases of the Russian artist.

The works written by Sergey Sherstyuk are in the museum of Oklahoma in the USA, in a similar institution in Belgium in the city of Antwerp, as well as in Florida.

Recently, the artist's paintings appeared in the Moscow Museum of Modern Art. Many of the works of Sergei are the property of private collections of wealthy families in Europe and America.

The book that the artist wrote

Throughout his conscious life, Sergei Sherstyuk used to keep a diary. In it, he described mainly his experiences, impressions and thoughts, which concerned both his personal and the Russian people as a whole. Later his memoirs were collected in a single work, which was called "The Stolen Book."

After reading this work, you involuntarily think about problems that are not discussed in society, although they really disturb him. In addition, the style of presentation - this is a mix of the avant-garde and "Russian imperialism", which literally imbued the entire diary of the artist.

Golgotha on Tverskaya

"A man who can really be called a Russian can not be easily met, there were only a few Russians left, Moscow is completely non-Russian," it was in these lines, taken from the artist's diary, that most of what he wanted to convey to us was the one Sherstyuk was mainly interested in The question of the unity and uniqueness of his native country.

Making another record in his diary, he relied on ideas that were hopelessly lost with the Russian Empire. He believed that it was at that time that our country was real in every sense of the word, original and unique. He wrote that he misses those times, which he did not have to endure, that he regrets about the time he lives in, and that he hopes for the resurrection of Russia as true.

Day of happiness

Many know perfectly well that Sergey Sherstyuk is the husband of Elena Mayorova, the Russian actress of theater and cinema. They met on June 8, 1985, and from that very moment celebrated this date as the day of their happiness.

The artist repeatedly stated that in the eyes of friends they were the most carefree and fun couple. They were easy and very good together, they never considered money and did not worry about domestic problems.

Two creative people who fell in love literally at first sight and remained faithful to the end of life. In a happy marriage, Sergei and Elena lived for 12 years and 75 days, and as it turned out, they could not do without each other. In 1997, the actress passed away as a result of a tragic event. Shortly passed away, and her husband.

This mystery was never disclosed

Being married Elena Maiorova repeatedly fell into depression. God did not give the family a child, and for this reason the actress considered herself defective, believed that this was her punishment and a cross for some evil deeds. However, the love of her husband gave her the opportunity to enjoy life and continue to create.

During all 12 years of marriage, despite the moments of sadness and despondency, the public saw Helen always happy, smiling and radiant. But on August 23, 1997, a strange and mysterious tragedy occurred that took not only the life of the actress, but also, subsequently, her husband. Elena ran out into the street from the doorway all on fire, her clothes burned out, leaving only soot behind. She died suddenly, without waiting for help from passers-by.

Sergei Sherstyuk - Elena Mayorova's husband - was sure that all this happened in an absurd accident (accidentally poured kerosene, which poured into a lamp, and lit up). Some thought that Mayorova committed suicide, but why then did she run out into the street to ask for help from people? The actress took this riddle with her to the grave, leaving her husband to live out the last, most woeful days on Earth.

What did Sergei Sherstyuk die of?

As it turned out, they die from love. 9 months after the tragic death of Elena, her husband, artist Sergei Sherstyuk, died. The official diagnosis, which was indicated in the conclusion, is a malignant tumor that has evolved too quickly.

But all friends and acquaintances of Sergei know that the cause of death was endless longing and sorrow, which came to replace his wife. The artist spent the last months of his life in the deepest depression. He lived only with memories of lost happiness, nothing inspired him.

However, Sergei found the strength to create, write new pictures and even organize exhibitions. He went out into the light, but he was not there from the world. Friends claimed that he seemed to fall into a different reality, emerging from there just to give an interview or answer questions from admirers of his work.

A talented and extraordinary artist died on May 23, 1998 in Moscow, exactly 9 months after his beloved and only wife died.