The creative path of a true creator is sometimes not at all simple. Artist Mikhail Shemyakin (Chemiakin), probably rightly refers to this category of people.
Young years
His childhood was spent in the GDR, and at the age of fourteen, Mikhail returned to Leningrad, where he entered the worst school at the Institute named after Repin. Shemyakin was soon expelled from this institution “for inconsistency with socialist-realist principles in art” and “aesthetic corruption” of fellow students. Wording worthy of a genius! The young artist Mikhail Shemyakin was forced to work as a janitor, an auxiliary worker, a postman. In 1962, the first official exhibition of the painter’s works opens.
The St. Petersburg Group (1967)
At that time, the group of artists "St. Petersburg" was created, which was created by Mikhail Shemyakin. The paintings painted then entered the cycles “Gallant scenes in St. Petersburg”, “Carnivals of St. Petersburg”, “Carcasses”. Here, in the form of a grotesque, the past of Russia and its desire for the future were described. And together with the philosopher V. Ivanov, a theory was created devoted to new forms of icon painting - “metaphysical synthetism”, in the development of which Mikhail Shemyakin also took an active part. Pictures of that period are based on the study of religious arts of various eras and countries. Shemyakin even becomes a novice of the Pskov-Pechersky monastery.
Exile
The artist’s creativity in the “Soviet” period was repeatedly subjected to close attention from the authorities and “brothers” by brush. Arrests after exhibitions, illegal confiscation of paintings, forced psychiatric treatment. It is interesting that, according to Mikhail himself, the initiator of the persecution was often not law enforcement agencies, but fellow artists, members of the Union. Everything that Mikhail Shemyakin wrote (paintings of that period) is little preserved.
The result of the efforts of the relevant authorities and individuals who call themselves artists, was the expulsion of Shemyakin from the USSR (1971). Since then, talent has flourished in Paris, and then - in New York (since 1981), where it receives well-deserved recognition of true connoisseurs of art. Abroad, Shemyakin did a lot and is doing non-conformists for Russian writers and artists, publishing their works and organizing annual exhibitions.
Friendship with Vysotsky
They met already in Paris (1974) and have become friends ever since. According to the memoirs of those around him, the poet and artist were a kind of creative symbiosis. Vysotsky dedicated his poems and songs to Mikhail. Shemyakin - painted pictures, illustrating the work of Vladimir Semenovich. And after death, he created a monument to the great poet, who was erected in Samara. Only forty-two illustrations for the works of Vysotsky were painted by Mikhail Shemyakin. The paintings of this cycle are called: “The End of the Wolf Hunt”, “Finicky Horses”, “Domes”, “Nabat”, “My Gypsy”, “Save Our Souls” and many, many others.
He introduced the great geniuses of our time to Baryshnikov. Vysotsky at that time already married Marina Vlady and came to "stay" in Paris. All night Vladimir performed his new and already known songs, and then Shemyakin and Vysotsky wandered along the banks of the Seine until morning. Mikhail recalled that it felt like they always knew each other, then broke up - and again met after a long separation. So many things had to be said to each other. So many events happened during this time! And it was necessary to talk, to be in time at all costs.
This creative friendship continued for several more years, until the poet’s death, which the artist experienced hard. And even after: Shemyakin first publishes abroad a complete collection of songs and essays by Vladimir Vysotsky.
Later work
In 2000, the “Imaginary Museum” was born in Hudson (USA), which is created by the artist Mikhail Shemyakin. The paintings collected there - on the subject of research that he started back in the 70s - are structured into various categories, philosophical and religious, historical and technical. Result: Shemyakin is awarded five doctoral degrees. Known in Russia is his thematic program “The Imaginary Museum of Shemyakin”, produced for the channel “Culture” in 2002-2003. In his native St. Petersburg, Mikhail organizes exhibitions based on the results of his research, issues catalogs of art, coming to Russia.
From monumental works: in St. Petersburg - a monument to Peter, a monument to the victims of political repression, a monument to the first builders of St. Petersburg. In Moscow - a composition of sculptures "Children - victims of adult vices."
The author’s creative arsenal includes the opera “The Nose” by Gogol, the original version of the ballet The Nutcracker, and the ballet based on Hoffmann's The Magic Walnut.
From the 90s to this day, together with V. Polunin, Shemyakin has been organizing performances in various cities of the world.
Last works
In 2007, the artist returned to France (Chateauroux). Here he settled and works in various directions: drawing, monumental sculpture, scenery for theater and cinema. The most original that Mikhail Shemyakin creates today is pictures from the garbage. They won the attention of connoisseurs of the artist in many countries.