|
| About Simon Shegelman |
 |
Simon Shegelman was born in 1933 in Belarus, the amazing part of Russia that gave to the world numerous talented writers, scientists, poets and artists, as well as the great master, Marc Chagall.
Shegelman grew up in an environment of ancient traditions and the customs of everyday life. Here in 1952, he graduated from high school with an honors diploma.
That same year, he moved to Riga, Latvia, where he enrolled in the highly recognized Latvian Academy of Art, graduating in 1958 with Honours.In 1959 he became a member of the Union of Artists of the USSR, the most prestigious professional organization in the former Soviet Union.
In subsequent years, Shegelman established himself as a professional freelance artist, working without interruption in a wide variety of artistic media and techniques: oil, lithography, etching, engraving, and silkscreen, among others. |
|
. At the same time, he discovered, created and established his own unique style, mannerisms, and methods
The works of Simon Shegelman enjoyed great popularity in the former Soviet Union and were represented not only in major annual all-Union exhibitions in Moscow, Saint-Petersburg, Minsk, Kiev, Vilnius, Tallinn, and Riga, but also abroad in Berlin, Dresden, Leipzig, Prague, Warsaw, Helsinki, Oslo, Turin, and Milan, earning great acclaim as well as several prizes and medals. Moreover, he traveled throughout the former USSR completing various projects such as murals, sculptures, and frescoes for which he was commissioned. In addition, he illustrated books, brochures, and posters; his artistic career was very active and successful.
In the former USSR, however, the Soviet communist system and authorities did not allow recognized and established artists to express themselves freely and limited their influence on the public. Despite (and perhaps because of) Shegelman`s achievements and the appreciation of his work, he was watched closely by the Soviet authorities; they closely scrutinized his artistic ideas, intimidated him, and controlled his every step. In 1975, his one-man show in Riga, which had a huge impact on the public, was shut down by Communist authorities because of its `anti-communist meanings`. In the same year, Shegelman left the country where he had grown up, studied, made a successful career. He said goodbye forever to his beautiful Riga whose images so often appeared in his pictures as well as to his adorable studio located in the `House of Artists`; he also bade farewell to his numerous friend and admirers.
Shegelman immigrated to the West under uncertain circumstances – he was unprepared for the harsh and precarious realities of an artist’s life. He had to start all over again in a world completely different and unknown – but as a free and unfettered artist.
His first destination was Rome where he worked in a bright and comfortable studio provided to him by professor of art Roberto Montello. Here, Shegelman made new friends – Italians, Americans, French, and Russians – who unequivocally admired his art, his, ideas and his imagination. His works were exhibited in many Italian cities to great public acclaim. He breathed deeply his new-found freedom and found within a new creative force.
In 1976, Shegelman came to Canada as a landed immigrant, the first artist from the USSR to have done so. In the first year of his new Canadian life, he was warmly welcomed in Winnipeg. His works, widely exhibited in prestigious art galleries, received a great deal of attention, drawing praise and the appreciation of the public.
In 1977, Shegelman relocated to bustling, multi-cultured Toronto. Here, he continued to explore the limits of his art; he created new canvases, discovered new media and delved into diverse and unusual ideas.
In 1978, Shegelman received a most prestigious status – he became a Canadian citizen. That year, he was the beginning of his exploration, discovery, and understanding of a new world. The consequent variety of sights and insights gave the artist an unexpected and surprising direction to his art.
Shegelman`s personal qualities – his honesty, attention and respect of others, modesty, sincere warmth and personal charm – attracted people to him, expanding his circle of foreign friends. They became his disciples appreciating not only his talent, but also his outlook, philosophy and ideas. Shegelman was invited, and accepted, his new friends` invitations to live and work in various countries.
|
|
Shegelman`s dreams were being realized: he worked and exhibited his art in many of the cities he adored; Toronto, Montreal, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Rome, London, and Riga. Diversity, multiplicity, the architectural and sculptural originality of cathedrals, fountains, and squares, the pulsating life of crowded streets, the sidewalk cafes, night shows, musicians, dancers, the bright lights of stores and windows, and the peaceful green shades of parks – all these comprised the picturesque canvases of Shegelman`s art.
Shegelman`s paintings are optimistic, hopeful, and promising. The colourful, aesthetic, enchanting surfaces of the canvas poetically and philosophically reflect the vitality, vigour, and eternal existence of our humanity. His canvases sing the praise of all that is valuable in man’s existence – love of people, music and dance, memories of ancient objects, the surprising beauty of trees, flowers and grasses. |
| And the principle, common theme of his paintings was the munificent, kind-hearted, conciliatory Most High, who created the world. Simon Shegelman led a varied, inspiring life, and his creative talents have made a valuable contribution to the world of contemporary art.
Victor Selensky, Art Historian
Prague, Czech Republic |
|
|
|
