«Art Council» №2 (24).
Professional Artist and Amateur Magazine
Golden Gallery
Applauds the Winners.
Results of the Cover Picture Competition-2001
The daylight came and the eyes could see. The "blind" man was able to see again, and he asked "My God, what is this?" Approximately the same reaction came from the Board members when they saw piles and piles of slides and photographs sent to the Annual Cover Picture Competition organized by Art Council Magazine. They had all the reasons to say so. Their mission was to find and pick up the golden nuggets hidden in this abundant and generous mosaic of artistic work. The best pieces selected were supposed to stand to the assignments and requirements of the competition on the one hand, and be accepted as the Cover Picture of the Year for our magazine, on the other.
The geographical coverage of the participants turned out to be vast this year - all republics and regions of Russia were represented and included 2000 artists, which was 500 contestants more than in the previous competition. Just a few of those admitted to the semi-finals should be mentioned: O.Alfimova (Novoshahtinsk), R.Mustaev (Ufa), O.Begma (Rostov-on-the-Don), M.Guseva (Moscow), A.Bagriantsev (St.Peterburg), V.Suslov (Amursk), A.Mukhametova (Megion), L.Sannikov (Izhevsk), A.Trubetskov (Saratov), and others.
The Competition Board members state that the professional level of works submitted grew up in comparison with the previous year. Still many artists overlook the requirement that they should submit magazine cover pictures, not just fine art paintings. Printing shop artists, as well as other art specialists, must know full well that not every painting or drawing, no matter what good quality it may have, is suitable for a magazine cover. For this reason many of the quality sketches, paintings and drawings were turned down by the Board at the very beginning.
Selecting the winner was no easy task. The main candidates were Suren Aivazian from from Moscow, Eduard Anikonov from Magnitogorsk, and Ilya Shadchnev from Penza. Their works are characterized by high professionalism, and display their unique artistic individuality. The final choice was made in favor of Eduard Anikonov's work and it was well grounded.
So, the Competition came to its end. The Golden Gallery gives credit to its laureates. We congratulate the winner and wish him every success and prosperity! Bravo, Laureates!
The best cover picture of the year
Mister X
canvas/oil 80x70cm
1997
Eduard Anikonov
Born in 1966 in Magnitogorsk, Russia. Graduate of Magnitogorsk Children's Fine Arts School, Sverdlovsk Fine Arts College, Repin Academy of Fine Arts in St.Peterburg.
Artistic credo: beauty and harmony.
Favorite medium: canvas/oil.
Topics preferred: material and spiritual worlds.
Anikonov is a master of legend and miracle. The style prevailing in his artistic work can be characterized as post-modern. He is one of those artists who are able to bring new life into the old traditions. The symbolism, as well as surrealism, expressionism and impressionism, will continue to exist as long as they continue to inspire at least a few modern artists who use that stylistic grammar to render the personal vision of the world.
Translated by Alexander Yegorov
