Ilsur Metshin visits the exhibition of paintings Twelve + by Yevgeny Golubtsov

The exhibition Twelve+ will open tomorrow at ES Gallery in Kazan, which presents paintings by Yevgeny Golubtsov, one of the most remarkable representatives of contemporary art in Tatarstan. The exhibition presents almost 40 works made in graphics, modern icon painting and easel painting technics. The Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin visited the exhibition today, where he got acquainted with the exposition and talked with collectors.

Yevgeny Golubtsov (1949-2021) was born in Kazan, where he graduated from Art School. He was a member of the Union of Artists, Honored Artist of the republic of Tatarstan. The exhibition Twelve + includes works from the collections of Yevgeny Zhudrov, Sergey Lozitsky and the founder of ES Gallery Elina Safarova. “We managed to collect the best works of Yevgeny Golubtsov in the gallery,”- E. Safarova noted. Visitors will have an opportunity to see the paintings “Transition”, “Angel”, “Warrior”, “Two”, “Sviyazhsk” and others.

“I want success in your work. With the light hand of organizers, contemporary art in Kazan will open a new page. The city lacks a museum of modern art, and we have approached this many times. This exhibition of works by Yevgeny Golubtsov is a landmark. We hope that a new page in the contemporary art of Kazan will open, and we will support you,”- Ilsur Metshin addressed Elina Safarova.

During a tour of the exhibition halls, the Mayor learned about the artist and his paintings. Yevgeny Golubtsov began his career with the design of the environment. Under his leadership, the Kazan workshop of artistic design Group 17 designed the House-Museum of Vladimir Lenin, the Tuqai Museum in Kyrlay, several cafes and a bar. Since the 1990s, Yevgeny Golubtsov turned to painting. The artist's images are deep monumental forms with a classical composition. His works refer to archetypes from the Old Russian icon to the European avant-garde.

According to the collector Yevgeny Zhudrov, Golubtsov made a great contribution to the development of modern art in Tatarstan. “His experience and vision allowed him to become a harbinger of contemporary.

Yevgeny Golubtsov shared his experience with colleagues in the workshop. “A lot of people studied with him – they came to the workshop for classes or learned his technique at exhibitions, -  said Zhudrov. – In addition, Yevgeny helped local artists to exhibit in Europe.”

The founder of the space, Elina Safarova, drew attention to the fact that the artist painted people with halos. “Yevgeny was very loving and saw people as divine beings. Sacred meanings are hidden in many of his paintings, this is the reason of the value of his works,”- Safarova explained.

The exhibition will open tomorrow and will run until May 31 at 98 Ostrovskogo Street.

ES Gallery is a creative art space that opened in 2022. The gallery, has already hosted 2 exhibitions: about the legacy of Helmut Lang and “A Tatar Woman. Who I am”. Soon, workshops will start working at the gallery. Both beginners and experienced artists will have an opportunity to work here. The initiative is also aimed at keeping the authors from moving. The first stream of artists was selected through an open competition. The winners of the competition will be provided with a workplace in the workshop for 2 months and will be given an opportunity to present their works at the gallery.