“All that is comfortable is an obstacle to art “, «Все удобное мешает искусству»
Vasily Sukshin
The artist Igor Novikov distances himself from the idea of dispassionate fine art oriented around aesthetics. “I want to portray contemporary time,” -says the artist, and real-life experience permeates through his vibrant, eclectic, wall spanning compositions. 30 of such paintings were shown at the “Utopias”exhibition that was held at t the exhibition «Артефакт» gallery.
Igor Novikov has always been interested in depicting “zeitgeist”, the trend of time: “I smoothly birth one painting from another, and address the subjects of today”, comments the artist.
Novikov’s artistic statement consists of polemics and social problems depicted in art. Misunderstanding and absurd are captured as the trend of contemporary time, and these subjects lead to the international art scene agenda, e.g. “In Minor Keys ” Venice Biennale 2026.
Contemporary art leads to existentialist type of interpretation. Bizarre and unexpected aspects are one of condition of modernity. Igor Novikov uses “art against art”, where he puts unexpected pictograms, ancient signs, and flash of luminous color on landscapes, most of the landscapes are idealistic 19th century paintings.
When the artist was asked to comment on his style he remarked: “I place piktograms and symbols on the 19th century landscapes. Furthermore, I exaggerate, and pose a question. “
Novikov expresses a marked confidence in the ability of new art to question life, e.g. “Golden Autumn” 2012, “Russian Forest ”, “EXIT “, “Over Eternal Peace” 2016.
Commenting on his perception of art, Novikov stated: “An artist needs to contribute something in order to be remembered. He deconstructs the world, throws it onto the canvas and thus portrays his time. How they have achieved that is a mystery. The artist has to convince the audience that this is the world itself… A mark of a genius is to be able to put together this puzzle. The other artists disappeared”.
Novikov has always had independent ideas. Igor was influenced by his father, Alexei Novikov a “non-conformist” artist , who showed Igor works of Chagall, Falk, Petrov-Vodkin: “My father gave me the culture of color”, – Igor remarked about the art of Russian avant-garde artists that he admired from an early age.
In 1980-1987 Igor Novikov completed his artistic studies at the I. Repin College of Fine Arts and at the Moscow State V. I. Surikov Art Institute, where he studied in the workshop of T. Salakhov.
Towards the end of the 1980s Novikov was drawn to new movements – he rejected the doctrine of realism. The artist developed a new style to express post perestroika conditions – monochrome, black-and-white views of Moscow with eye-catching red-colored pictograms upon it e.g. “The Shining”, 1987. When asked about this language of signs to landscapes, Igor Novikov said: “From the earliest time period, from the stone age, from the Neolithic time period when there were no letters, no writing. They acted as a sign, a hand sign, a hunter’s mark, etc.”, “I emphasize the action, the plot, and the feeling of uneasiness. I want to strengthen the dramatic effect through my pictograms”.
A result of adding a pictogram is a multi-layered, “compressed” art, and a combination of painting and “non-painting” .
In 1987 Novikov emerged as one of organizers of the young avant-garde group: “Furmanny Pereulok” (Furmanny Lane) in Moscow. The group was formed in 1987 in Moscow and disbanded in 1991.
The 90s were a breakthrough for Novikov, change came with his exhibitions at European galleries and art institutions. His mature style originates from the 90s, e.g. “Winter mystery” The Vladimirka Road”.
As of today Igor continues to paint. Novikov’s painting style of 2025 never lacks passion as does the spirit of our age.
Written by: Irina Vernichenko
