Many people believe that there are no artists left in the 21st century. However, in reality this is not the case. And nowadays there are many talented and famous artists, whose work is shown in exhibitions that earn a lot of money. Below is a list of the 20 most famous and well-earning artists who are active creative activity not only on the territory of Russia.
Russian artist Alexander Ivanov, born in 1962, is best known for his work entitled “Love,” which was painted back in 1996 and sold for almost 100,000 rubles. His style is abstractionism. He is also a businessman, engaged in collecting activities, and opened the Faberge Museum in Germany, in Baden-Baden.
Olga Bulgakova is one of the few talented and famous artists Russia, born in 1951, and part of Russian Academy arts as a corresponding member. A representative of the painting movement of the Brezhnev era, which is called “carnival”. Her most famous work is “The Dream of the Red Bird,” written in 1988.
Russian artist Mikhail Brusilovsky, working under the pseudonym Misha Shaevich, is included in this rating and takes 18th place. This world famous artist
The talented Russian artist Lev Tabenkin was born in 1952 in the Russian capital, Moscow. This painter sees the picture like a sculptor. It feels like his written characters are sculpted from clay. One of Lev’s most famous paintings is “Jazz Orchestra,” painted in 2004. It was sold for 117,650 rubles.
The AES+F project consists of four people, in fact, the name consists of the initial letters of the participants’ surnames: Tatyana Arzamasova, Lev Evzovich, Evgeniy Svyatsky, Vladimir Fridnes. The creativity of this company was characterized by a very good presentation back in the nineties and was appreciated only in the two thousandths. Nowadays, for the most part, they create large animated murals that are broadcast on dozens of screens. One of the most famous works of this company: “Warrior 4”.
Russian artist Sergei Volkov was born in Petrozavodsk in 1956. His works are characterized by the fact that he created during the period of perestroika art. The paintings are painted very expressively, where very thoughtful statements and ideology are seen. His most famous painting is Double Vision. Triptych".
Artists Alexander Vinogradov and Vladimir Dubossarsky were both born in Moscow in 1963 and 1964. They began working together in 1994, having met at a festival, creating an unusual and grandiose project. The original design has earned the respect of many collectors. Their paintings hang in such famous places as the Tretyakov Gallery, the Russian Museum and even the Pompidou Center. They themselves are the creators of the Art Strelka gallery and the organizers of the Art Klyazma festival.
Russian artist Vladimir Yankilevsky was also included in the list of the highest paid and famous artists. He was born in Moscow in 1938. Vladimir's father was also an artist, and his son inherited his profession. Vladimir works in the style of surrealism - creativity with paradoxical combinations. Back in 1970, he painted one of the most famous paintings called “Triptych 10. Anatomy of the Soul II.”
Artist Vladimir Nemukhin was born in 1925 in the small village of Priluki, located in the Moscow region. He took part in many foreign exhibitions in Europe. In the nineties he lived and was active in Germany, but in 2005 he moved to Russia. His work is characterized by a three-dimensional composition, the presence of counter-relief and various cross-cutting motifs, for example, a deck of cards.
Artist with unusual name, the son of a Spanish political emigrant, was born in the small village of Vasilyevka in Samara region in 1943. He was the organizer of the group of artists "Argo" and is a member of the Moscow Union of Artists. Francisco was also awarded the State Prize for achievements in the field visual arts. The artist is active in creative work both in Russia and abroad.
The artist Alexander Melamed used to be one of the members of the very famous creative duo Komarov-Melamed, but it broke up back in 2003, then they began working separately. Residence since 1978 is New York. Most famous works he wrote together with Vitaly Komar; together they also created the Sots Art movement and were the organizers of the Bulldozer Exhibition.
This Russian artist, known as one of the founders of Moscow conceptualism, was born in Moscow in 1937, where he graduated from the Printing Institute. According to Viktor Pivovarov himself, his first work was written at the age of five. He is also a representative of “unofficial” art. His paintings are located in some of the most famous and largest exhibition centers: the Russian Museum, Tretyakov Gallery, Pushkin Museum im. A. S. Pushkin.
This artist was born in 1934 in Tbilisi. He is one of the brightest representatives monumental painting. Zurab is known for his work in the form of the monument to Peter I, which is located in Moscow, as well as the monument located in front of the UN building in New York. Zurab is the president of the Russian Art Academy, which operates his own museum-gallery. The creations of this artist are known not only to Russia, but throughout the world.
Russian artist Oscar Rabin is famous for being the organizer of the Bulldoor Exhibition in 1974 and four years later he was deprived of Soviet citizenship. He also became popular as one of the first artists to engage in the private sale of paintings in the Soviet Union. On this moment his permanent place of residence and work is Paris. His paintings are in largest museums and exhibition centers: Moscow Museum of Modern Art, Tretyakov Gallery, Russian Museum and others.
Russian artist Oleg Tselkov is known as the artist who began the main creative movement in the sixties of the 20th century, showing very rough and sharp features in his paintings, including in the depiction of people who look like clay figures. Since 1977, Oleg continues creative path in Paris. His paintings are located in the following exhibition centers: Russian Museum, Tretyakov Gallery, Hermitage. One of famous paintings is "The Boy with balloons", written in 1954.
Born in Moscow in 1934, Russian artist Grigory Bruskin, or Grisha, has been one of the members of the Union of Artists since 1969. He gained greatest fame thanks to major auction Sotheby's, where he sold his work entitled “Fundamental Lexicon” for the highest price, which became a record. Currently he lives and works in both New York and Moscow, which is why he is also called an American artist.
This Russian artist is distinguished by the fact that he depicts realistic things with extreme precision. His real creative activity began from the moment in 1985, when he exhibited at Malaya Gruzinskaya, he won the attention and recognition of collectors from New York. Since then, his works have been exhibited in many European countries, are located in exhibition centers in America, Germany and Poland. Now he lives and conducts creative activities in Moscow.
This duet, alas, existed until 2003, but was a huge success. Two Russian artists became famous thanks to the creation of such a movement as Sots Art, which is an offshoot of unofficial art. This was a kind of response to the creation of pop art in the West. Canvases with the works of these artists are in major museums, including the Louvre.
The Russian artist is known for being able to combine both painting and text in his work; later this began to be called social art. During the Soviet period he was popular as an illustrator in children's books. For some time he lived in New York, then in Paris. He was the first artist to have an exhibition at the Pompidou Center. His creative works are in the Tretyakov Gallery, the Russian Museum, and the Pompidou Center.
This talented Russian artist, working together with his wife Emilia, can be considered the main artist of the country, the founder of Moscow conceptualism. He was born in Dnepropetrovsk in 1933, but New York has been his place of residence since 1988. His works can be seen in the Hermitage, the Tretyakov Gallery and the Russian Museum. Ilya received the Japanese Emperor's Prize, and his two works called “Beetle” and “Luxury Room” are the most expensive paintings.
The photo shows a painting of a famous modern Italian artist Aurelio Bruni. He lives and works in Umbria. The artist paints in the style of hyperrealism and symbolism, organized 25 personal exhibitions, participated in 53 collective exhibitions, and has 10 various awards and prizes.
“The Road to York via Sledmere” is a painting by a famous contemporary British artist David Hockney. On 21 June 2006, Hockney's Splash was sold for £2.6 million. His Grand Canyon painting, made up of 60 small paintings combined to create one huge painting, was bought by the National Gallery of Australia for $4.6 million. The painting "The Housewife of Beverly Hills" sold for $7.9 million at Christie's in New York. In 2016, his landscape "Waldgate Woods" was sold at Sotheby's for £9.4 million. This price became a new record for David Hockney.
The photo shows a picture of the famous modern American artist Warren Chang. Thanks to his masterful rendering of light and muted tones, his paintings look very realistic and perfectly convey emotions and mood. Most of his paintings depict people busy with their professional activity or everyday activities. He also paints interior paintings. Warren Chang has many different titles and awards. Lives and works in Monterey, California.
The painting is an abstraction of the modern famous German artist Gerhard Richter, who is one of the richest artists in the whole world. The painting shown in this photo was sold in London at Sotheby's for $44.52 million (30.4 million).
The photo shows a painting by the famous contemporary French artist Martial Rice. In 1993, one of his works was bought by billionaire Francois Pinault. In 2011, Rice's painting "The Last Year in Capri" was sold for $6.58 million at Christie's auction (the most expensive price among all previously sold works by other living French artists). In 2013, he entered the Top 50 most expensive living artists.
Painting by the famous contemporary Canadian artist Albini Leblanc, a master of miniature cityscapes with a palette knife. The artist lives and works in Quebec. His work can be seen in art galleries in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Quebec City. Albini Leblanc organized 15 personal exhibitions, participated in 7 collective exhibitions, and has 8 different awards and prizes.
The photo shows a painting by the famous contemporary Japanese artist Tomoko Kashiki. The artist organized personal exhibitions in Singapore, France and Japan, participated in collective exhibitions in China, the USA, Australia, Japan, Indonesia, Great Britain, United Kingdom United Arab Emirates and Singapore. Her work can be seen in public collections in Art gallery Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; in one of the largest Japanese insurance companies - Dai-ichi Life Insurance Limited; at the Museum of Old and New Art, Tasmania, Australia; in Toyota Art Collection.
Painting "Coloring Book" of the famous modern Ukrainian artist Oleg Tistol. This painting sold at Phillips for $53,900. According to Forbes, Oleg Tistol is one of the three most successful artists in Ukraine. He was born in Vradievka, Nikolaev region, lives and works in Kyiv, is a member of the Union of Artists of Ukraine, took part in many exhibitions in Ukraine, Russia, Estonia, Poland, USA, Iceland, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Great Britain, Denmark, Brazil, Germany , Norway, France and Italy. Oleg Tistol participated in the biennale: in 1994 - “17th September”, 22nd Biennale in Sao Paulo; in 2001 - “The first Ukrainian project”, 49th Venice Biennale. His paintings are in collections: in the PinchukArtCentre, in Kyiv, in Ukraine; in the Norton Dodge Collection, in the USA; at the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; at the Christoph Merian Stiftung, Basel, Switzerland; at the Ministry of Culture of Turkey, in Ankara; at the Museum of the History of Moscow, Russia.
The photo shows a painting of a famous modern Polish artist Wojciech Babski. The artist lives and works in Katowice. It is popular not only in Poland, but also abroad. Wojciech Babski received the following awards: 1st place in the nomination "The 2016 American Art Awards" in the category of pop art paintings; 1st place in the nomination "The 2016 American Art Awards" in the category of paintings commenting on politics; 3rd place in the category "The 2016 American Art Awards" in the category acrylic paintings; 4th and 5th places in the nomination "The 2016 American Art Awards" in the category of expressionism.
The photo shows a painting by the famous contemporary Belarusian artist Anna Silivonchik. The artist was born in Gomel, today she lives and works in Minsk. Anna Silivonchik is a member of the Belarusian Union of Artists, was awarded the medal “Talent and Vocation” by the international alliance “Peacemaker”, her works are in National Museum Republic of Belarus, the Museum of Modern Art in Minsk, the Museum of Contemporary Russian Art in Jersey City (USA), the funds of the Gomel Palace and Park Ensemble, the Elabuga state museum-reserve in Russia, private collections in Belarus, Russia, France, USA, Japan, Israel, Italy, Germany and Poland. In the period from 2001 to 2016, the artist organized many personal exhibitions in Belarus, Russia, Germany and Ukraine, and also participated in collective exhibitions in Belarus, USA, Russia, Estonia, Ukraine, Latvia, Czech Republic, Poland, Germany , Hungary, the Netherlands and Kazakhstan.
Painting by the famous modern Turkish artist Gürbüz Dogan Ekcioglu. The world-famous Turkish cartoonist and graphic artist, originally from Ordu, has more than 70 awards, approximately a third of which are international. Grbz Doan Ekiolu participated in many collective exhibitions, both in Turkey and abroad, and held more than 20 personal exhibitions, one of which was held in New York. His work has been published in the Atlantic, the New York Times, and has graced the covers of the New Yorker and Forbes magazines.
Painting by the famous contemporary Egyptian artist Hossam Dirar. The artist was born, lives and works in Cairo. Hossam Dirar has held many solo exhibitions in countries such as: Bahrain, Great Britain, Slovakia, Italy, France, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia and Egypt. He also participated in collective exhibitions in Germany, Egypt and South Africa.
The photo shows a painting by the famous contemporary Chinese artist Zeng Fanzhi “ last supper" This painting was sold in October 2013 in Hong Kong at Sotheby's for $23.3 million, setting a new record for contemporary Asian art. Earlier, in May 2008, when Christie's held its first sale of Asian contemporary art in Hong Kong , his Mask Series Painting No. 6 sold for HK$75,367,500. This was a world record that year for sale price among all artists.
The photo shows a painting by the famous contemporary Greek artist Nikos Giftakis. The artist was born, lives and works in Athens. He is very popular not only in Greece, he organized personal exhibitions and participated in many collective exhibitions in countries such as Switzerland, Cyprus, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Sweden, Brazil, Russia and Greece.
Painting of a famous modern Georgian artist David Popiashvili. The artist is from Tbilisi, is a member of the Union of Artists of Georgia, and has participated in exhibitions in France, Germany, Bulgaria, Russia and Georgia. Many of his works are in museums and private collections in Georgia and abroad.
The painting was painted by the famous contemporary UAE artist Abdul Qader Al-Rais. The artist is one of the founders of the Emirates Fine Arts Society and is considered one of the pioneers of contemporary art in the Emirates. His work can be found in the Emirates Palace (the presidential hotel in Abu Dhabi), government offices and in the personal art collections of members of the royal family in Dubai. The artist participated in various collective exhibitions, and also organized personal exhibitions in different countries(Czech Republic, Lebanon, USA, Germany, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria and UAE), has received many awards.
The photo shows a picture of the famous modern Dutch artist Tjalf Sparnaay. The artist is originally from the Netherlands, lives and works in the city of Hilversum, organized 14 solo exhibitions and participated in many collective exhibitions in different countries (USA, UK, Belgium, Estonia, Germany, Canada, Austria and the Netherlands). His works are in private and public collections in many countries.
Painting of a famous modern Spanish artist Miguel Barcelo. In 2003 he received the Prince of Asturias Prize for Art, one of the most important prizes in Spain. In 2004, he exhibited at the Louvre the watercolors he created to illustrate " Divine Comedy", becoming the first living contemporary artist to exhibit at the museum. The artist is among the top 30 richest artists in the world. His paintings are expensive. For example, this one, the photo of which is presented above, costs 244,398 USD.
The painting was painted by the famous contemporary Swiss artist Urs Fischer. The artist, originally from Zurich, is among the top 50 richest artists in the world. He has become famous for his provocative approach to art, but is subject to its laws; he opposes the presentation of art as a commercial commodity, although he himself sells his works at high prices, skillfully interacting with the art market and collectors.
The photo shows a painting by the famous contemporary Israeli artist Orna Ben-Shoshan. She lives and works in the city of Ra'anana, has held many solo exhibitions and participated in collective exhibitions in countries such as the USA, Italy, Great Britain, Cyprus, France and Israel. Looking at the artist’s works, you will be fascinated by an amazing world where everything is possible. Take advantage of this to enrich your imagination, expand your horizons, and meet a rapidly growing talented artist.
The photo shows a painting by the famous contemporary Thai artist Direk Kingnock, a watercolorist originally from the town of Nakhon Ratchasima. He now lives and works in Khon Kaen city. Already at the age of 9, Direk won gold medal International competition children's creativity Japan. He has participated in exhibitions in Vietnam, China, Turkey, Italy, Russia, South Korea, Malaysia, Greece, Albania and Thailand.
Painting by the famous contemporary Norwegian artist Christer Karlstad. He lives and works in Drammen, has held solo exhibitions and participated in group exhibitions in the USA, Sweden, and Norway.
The photo shows a painting by the famous contemporary Danish artist, Jan Esmann. The artist was born, lives and works in Denmark, participated in exhibitions in countries such as Germany, USA, Denmark.
The painting was painted by the famous contemporary Swedish artist Nisse Nidej Ottenhag. The artist, originally from the small town of Lilla Edet, has participated in many exhibitions in different countries (in the USA, France, Monaco, Namibia and Sweden).
The photo shows a painting by the famous contemporary Australian artist Elizabeth Barsham. She was born, lives and works in Tasmania and has won many awards. Her works can often be found on magazine covers or as illustrations for articles. She is also often written about in the press. The artist took part in large quantities exhibitions and organized personal exhibitions in different countries (Great Britain, Singapore, Italy, Australia).
What is the price modern Art? Which living artists enjoy the greatest recognition, the measure of which is banknotes? The Artnet website answered this question by analyzing the results of auctions from 2011 to 2015 and compiling a list best selling contemporary artists . Alas, there were no creators from Russia on the list.
10. Ed Rusha
In the 60s of the last century, Ed, along with such famous artists as Andy Warhol and Jim Dine, took part in the historical event “New Image of Ordinary Objects”. It was one of the first exhibitions of the emerging Pop Art style in America. To the unenlightened eye, Rushei's paintings most resemble stenciled inscriptions against the backdrop of landscapes or a cheerful splash of flowers. However, within 4 years his creations were sold for a total of $129,030,255.
9. Richard Prince
Richard made a name for himself by re-photographing images from print advertisements, editing them in random order and embellishing them with punchy slogans. Marlboro cowboys, celebrities, porn stars, nurses and biker girlfriends have all suffered at his hands. He also paints car hoods. The public appreciated his works $146,056,862– this is exactly the amount that several of the artist’s works were sold for.
8. Yayoi Kusama
The artist, who suffers from mental illness, loves to cover surfaces with dots of paint - called "infinity nets". She managed to turn both this pea and her own illness into a trademark and is now the best-selling contemporary artist in the world ( $152,768,689).
7. Peter Doig
One of the representatives of traditional landscape painting. His work enjoys constant popularity among viewers who are tired of the hyper-ironic postmodernism - after all, after the inscriptions, collages of photographs and polka-dot chairs, it is so pleasant to stop your gaze on the tropical night landscape. Over the course of 4 years, paintings were sold for $155,229,785.
6. Fan Zeng
Calligraphy lettering, transparent watercolor landscapes and portraits in traditional Chinese style also sell well - $176,718,242 from 2011 to 2015.
5. Cui Ruzhou
This contemporary Chinese artist is famous for his ink paintings of flowers, birds and landscapes. However, ordinary people are unable to understand the powerful power of art - and in 2012, a cleaning lady at the Grand Hayatt Hotel accidentally threw one of his works worth $3.7 million into the trash. Cui Ruzhou's works for 4 recent years were sold for $223,551,382.
4. Zeng Fanzhi
Complex multi-color works by another Chinese artist, where living creatures and objects are either entangled in a web or lost in winter forest, as well as sinister pioneers with bloody hands from 2011 to 2015 also sold well - for $267,949,220.
3. Christopher Wool
Christopher's trademark is huge white canvases with black lettering. Four of these letters spelling out the word Riot were sold at Sotheby's for $29.9 million. And in just 4 years, the artist’s works were sold for an amount of $323,997,854.
2. Jeff Koons
The former husband of porn star Cicciolina prefers to work in the neo-pop genre. He is especially famous for his steel sculptures imitating toys made from oblong balloons. For one of the works (a steel orange dog) $58.4 million was paid at Christie's auction. Jeff also plans to install a crane in front of the Los Angeles Museum of Art on which a steam locomotive will be hung so that it puffs and emits clouds of smoke. From 2011 to 2015, Koons sold works for a total amount of $379,778,439.
1. Gerard Richter
In first place in the ranking of artists with the best-selling paintings is a master who does not even consider himself such. According to Gerard, for a long time he created something that was not related to art, composition, color, creativity, etc. Namely, he covered canvases with stains of paint using scrapers and spatulas. One of these paintings called “Abstract Image”, most reminiscent of a watermelon that died in agony, was valued at Sotheby’s auction for $43.6 million, and the artist’s works sold for a modest amount of $1,165,527,419.
Bright Side collected 10 contemporary Russian artists (we are sure there are many more) who will undoubtedly write their name in the classics of 21st century painting. Find out about them today.
Alexey Chernigin
Most of Alexey Chernigin's oil paintings on canvas capture beauty, romance and moments of true feelings. Alexey Chernigin inherited his talent and passion for art from his father, the famous Russian artist Alexander Chernigin. Every year they organize a joint exhibition in their native Nizhny Novgorod.Konstantin Lupanov
A young and incredibly talented artist from Krasnodar calls his painting “fun, irresponsible daub.” Konstantin Lupanov writes what he loves. The main characters of his paintings are friends, acquaintances, relatives and his beloved cat Philip. The simpler the plot, the artist says, the more truthful the picture turns out.
Stanislav Plutenko
Stanislav Plutenko’s creative motto: “See the unusual and do the unusual.” Moscow artist works in unique technology mixing tempera, acrylic, watercolor and the finest AirBrash glaze. Stanislav Plutenko is included in the catalog of 1000 surrealists of all times and peoples.Nikolay Blokhin
Discover a modern Russian artist who, without a doubt, centuries later will stand on a par with the world classics of painting. Nikolai Blokhin is known primarily as a portrait painter, although he also paints landscapes, still lifes, genre paintings. But it is in the portrait that one of the most important aspects of his talent is most clearly demonstrated.Dmitry Annenkov
Looking at the hyper-realistic still lifes of this Russian artist, you just want to reach out and take from the canvas or touch what is drawn there. They are so alive and with soul. Artist Dmitry Annenkov lives in Moscow and works in different genres. And he is extremely talented in everything.Vasily Shulzhenko
The work of artist Vasily Shulzhenko leaves no one indifferent. He is either loved or hated, praised for his understanding of the Russian soul and accused of hating it. His paintings depict harsh Russia, without cuts and grotesque comparisons, alcohol, debauchery and stagnation.Arush Votsmush
Under the pseudonym Arush Votsmush hides the most talented artist from Sevastopol, Alexander Shumtsov. “There is a word called “conflict”: when you see something amazing that makes your inner wheels turn in right side. A good conflict, “with goosebumps” - it’s interesting. And goosebumps can come from anything: from cold water, from the holiday, from the fact that I suddenly felt something like in childhood - when I was surprised for the first time and it started playing inside you... I’m not trying to prove anything to anyone with my works. First of all, I enjoy it. This is a pure drug of creativity. Or a clean life - without doping. Just a miracle."Alexander Vinogradov and Vladimir Dubossarsky
Vinogradov and Dubossarsky are the main hooligans and obscenities of modern Russian painting. The creative duo formed in the mid-90s of the twentieth century. And today he has already gained worldwide fame. It is no coincidence that the writer Viktor Pelevin designed one of his novels with illustrations from ready-made works by Dubossarsky and Vinogradov.Mikhail Golubev
Young Russian artist Mikhail Golubev lives and works in St. Petersburg. His works are thought-paintings, fantasy-paintings and philosophical reflections. Very interesting artist with his own, but very familiar to many, view of this world.Sergey Marshennikov
