Valery Kosorukov is a prominent Russian fine artist, born in Moscow. Kosorukov is an art professor, member of the Union of Artists of Russia and honored citizen of the City of New Orleans, U.S.A. The artist completed, with honors, the graduate and post-graduate fine arts degree programs at Moscow State Surikov Fine Arts Institute, one of the world’s most prestigious fine art schools, where he later taught painting and drawing for over 25 years.

Ballet has been a main creative theme of Kosorukov’s art since the time of his studies at the art institute. During his studies, the young artist created a visual chronicle of the Bolshoi Theater in a series of unparalleled original artwork. Based on the foundation of that artwork, Kosorukov’s first art book, “Ballet,” was published by Soviet Artist Publishing in 1966. Professionals and press noted the originality and bright individuality of the artist, who was able to capture the essence of ballet.  The splendid pastel “N. Bessmertnova – Giselle” became not only the artist’s personal logo, but a symbol of his homeland’s ballet.

Since the mid-1970’s, the artist has gained world-wide recognition. He had personal exhibits in Moscow, Novosibirsk, Jackson, Varna, Cairo, New Orleans, Madrid and Milan.  Kosorukov’s artwork and his loyalty to the ballet theme became widely noticed in the art world, and he began to be called the “Russian Degas” by those who appreciated his art.

Many of his works from the 1970’s and 1980’s became a part of his art book, “Images of the Ballet,” published by Fine Art Publishing in 1988.  Another book, “Mystery of Terpsichore,” illustrated by Kosorukov, was published in an edition of one hundred thousand copies in 1989.

Kosorukov won the design contest for the Moscow International Ballet’s Logo for the U.S.S.R. Ministry of Culture.  For many years, Kosorukov’s personal exhibits in the legendary White Foyer of the Bolshoi Theater were the culmination of his success with the ballet competition’s program.

The artist’s versatile and impressive talent found its expression through images of the theater.  For a number of years Kosorukov worked closely with the great American dancer Fernando Bujones.  For Bujones’ Orlando Ballet Company, Kosorukov created stage scenery for nine ballets, including “La Bayadere”, “Giselle”, “Don Quixote” and “Nutcracker.”

Various periodicals in Russia, the U.S. and Europe published articles about Kosorukov’s artwork.  In 2003, Kosorukov’s paintings were extensively chronicled in an edition of “International Artist” magazine, which covers trends and events in the world of fine arts.

The artist uses Impressionistic methods, filling his artwork with a refined play of light and colors. Precise brush strokes combined with softer, elegant ones create colorful, jewel-like patterns – both attractive and fascinating. While he continues to develop his ballet theme, Kosorukov successfully works in other genres – including portraiture, landscapes, and nudes.

Many fine art experts associate Valery Kosorukov with Valentin Serov, the great, 19th century Russian master of drawing. Kosorukov’s drawing distinguishes itself from other artists, however, by its exceptional expressiveness.  His drawing ranges from a fanciful play of lines to a very simplistic design.  At other times, the artist might just use a simple stroke of the pen to reveal a shape, reproduce a movement, or create a mood.

For the last several years Kosorukov has maintained his art connection with Russia. His work is exhibited in many public collections in Russia and throughout the world, such as the Bakhrushin State Central Theatre Museum, Museum of the Bolshoi Theatre, Ministry of Culture (Russia), Artists’ Union of Russia, George Bush Presidential Library, Chevron USA, Inc., as well as in various private collections in Russia, Austria, Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Egypt, Italy, Switzerland, Spain and the United States.

EDUCATION                                                                                                            

1961-1964 Post Graduate Study, Moscow Surikov State Art Institute of the USSR Academy of Fine Arts

1961 MFA in Painting. Moscow Surikov State Art Institute of the USSR Academy of Fine Arts

POSITIONS

1981-1990 Dean of Foreign Students, Moscow Surikov State Art Institute.

1966-1990 Professor of Drawing, Moscow Surikov State Art Institute.

1985-1990 Associate Professor, Moscow State Institute of Theatrical Art, Moscow.

ONE-MAN EXHIBITIONS (SELECTED)

2005 G.C. Lucas Gallery, Indianapolis, IN
2005 Forum Gallery, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
2004 G.C. Lucas Gallery, Indianapolis, IN
2002-2003 Ryan Gallery, Tulsa, OK
2002 Gallery 119, Jackson, MS
2002 LMS Fine Art Gallery, New Orleans, LA
1998 Bryant Galleries, Jackson, MS; Art Association Gallery, Lake Charles, LA

1997 Meridian Museum of Arts, Meridian, MS

1996 Zaplin- Lampert Gallery, Santa Fe NM.
Bryant Galleries, Jackson, Mississippi

1994 World Trade Center, New Orleans, La.

GROUP EXHIBITIONS (SELECTED)

2004-2005 G.C. Lucas Gallery, Indianapolis, IN

2002 "Self Portrait", Gallery 119, Jackson, MS

1999 "The 1990s' Meridian Museum of Art", Meridian, MS

1998 Artists of the International Ballet Competition, Thalia Mara Hall, Jackson, MS

1994 Fifth USA International Ballet Competition, Gala Exhibition. Brown's Gallery, Jackson, MS

1992 Portrait Show. Wyndy Morehead Fine Arts, New Orleans, LA

1990 “World of Dance” Brown's Gallery, Jackson, MS

1988-87-86 Exhibitions of the Moscow Artists' Union, Moscow, Russia (former USSR)

1987, 1983 Travel Exhibition of the Bakhrushin State Museum of the Theatrical Art (Italy, Greece, Spain)

1985 All-Russian Exhibition of the Artists' Union of Russia, Moscow (former USSR)

1961 National Exhibition of the Best Diploma Works of Graduating Students from Art Institutes of the USSR Academy of Fine Arts, Moscow (former USSR)

1959 The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow, Russia (former USSR)

1958 Exhibition of Young Moscow Artists, Central Exhibition Hall, Moscow, Russia (former USSR)

STAGE DESIGN (SELECTED)

2005 "Camelot," Orlando Ballet, FL
2004 "Dracula," Gregory Hancock Dance Theater, Indianapolis, IN
2003 "Spartacus," Orlando Ballet, FL
2002 "Don Quixote," "Giselle," Orlando Ballet, FL
2001 "Coppelia" Orlando Ballet, FL
2002 "La Bayadere," "Nutcracker," Orlando Ballet, FL

PUBLICATIONS

Images of the Ballet, Paintings and drawings by Valery Kosorukov. Introduction by V. Fyodorov. Izobrazitelnoe Iskusstvo State Publishing House, Moscow, Russia, 1988 Ballet.

Mystery of Terpsichore. Story by Irina Deshkova. Drawings by Valery Kosorukov. Detskaya Literatura State Publishing House, Moscow, Russia, 1989

Ballet, Art Book of Drawings and Paintings by Valery Kosorukov. Sovietsky Khudoznik State Publishing House, Moscow, 1966.

SELECTED PUBLIC COLLECTIONS

Bakhrushin State Central Theatre Museum, Moscow

Ministry of Culture, Moscow

Museum of the Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow

The Collection of the Artists' Union of Russia, Moscow

George Bush Presidential Library, Texas

USA International Ballet Competition, Jackson, MS

Chevron USA, Inc., Jackson, MS

PRIVATE COLLECTIONS

Austria, Canada, Germany, Egypt, France, Italy, Poland, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, USA