Special
Introduction to the Chemiakin Collection of Books & Catalogs
Introduction to the Chemiakin Collection of Books & Catalogs
This curated collection of books and catalogues offers a rare and intimate view into the extraordinary world of Mihail Chemiakin (Михаил Шемякин), one of the most visionary and uncompromising artists of the postwar avant-garde. Born in Moscow in 1943 and later exiled from the Soviet Union, Chemiakin forged an independent path that defied both political censorship and artistic convention.
Through this selection, ranging from early exhibition catalogues such as Metaphysical Composition I (Japan, 1979) to later retrospectives, one can trace the evolution of Chemiakin’s visual language: a synthesis of baroque theatricality, metaphysical inquiry, and psychological intensity. His work explores themes of identity, ritual, and spiritual iconography through a fantastical and deeply symbolic style.
Each item in this archive reflects the artist's international journey—from Russia to France, and ultimately to the United States—mirroring the migration of his ideas across cultures and artistic disciplines. Whether presented in Japanese, Russian, French, or English, these publications collectively form a portrait of an artist who resisted categorization and embraced the surreal and the sublime.
This collection is not merely an assemblage of printed matter—it is a testament to Chemiakin’s enduring influence, his intellectual rigor, and the theatrical drama that continues to animate his vision.
