Dear Shaded Viewers,
Valery Koshlyakov, born in Salsk, Rostov-on-Don province, Russia in 1962, is a prominent figure in contemporary Russian art. He has been residing and working in Paris since 2003. Koshlyakov’s artistic journey began at the Grekov Art College in Rostov-on-Don, where he received his education before graduating from the Rostov School of Fine Arts in 1985. He went on to become an active member of the underground scene in Rostov, as part of the avant-garde artist collective “Art or Death,” which brought together painters, musicians, and poets from the southern region of Russia.
Koshlyakov’s artistic exploration is characterised by his fascination with masterpieces of the past, which he reinterprets in contemporary ways. His creative process involves using large-format cardboard as a support, a reduced range of adhesive packaging as a palette, tempera paint for immense canvases, and collage techniques.
Koshlyakov’s contributions to the art world have not gone unnoticed. He is widely regarded as one of the most important contemporary Russian artists and has exhibited his works in prestigious art institutions worldwide. Koshlyakov’s commitment to challenging traditional artistic norms and pushing the boundaries of his craft has earned him a prominent place in the annals of contemporary art.
Today, he returns to Souillac’s Saint-Martin Hall with a new solo exhibition titled MONUMENTAL, which is quite explicit in its name.