Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Moscow`s Central House of Arts is hosting a solo exhibition of works by artist Nikolai Kornilov titled “My Karakalpakstan”, the exhibition has been organized with assistance from the Fund Forum and the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Russia. The opening ceremony held on January 26 was attended by the officials of the Russian Ministry of Culture, the broad public, the business community in Moscow, scholars and journalists.

The opening ceremony of the exhibition began with the artist`s associates telling those gathered about his life path. Born in 1932 in Kazakhstan, Nikolai Izosimovich Kornilov mastered several trades before becoming an artist. He had earned a living as a metalworker, plasterer, seaman and performer. Once he found his true passion in art, he worked hard to scale its heights. For several years he attended art classes at Voroshilov plant in Omsk. Later, he worked to master the tricks of painting at Irkutsk Art School. However, in Kornilov`s words, only through his artistic activities in Tashkent did he realize he was cut out to be an artist-journalist, where he consummated his artistic skills. From 1964 he worked in Nukus, where he met Igor Savitsky, an artist, art historian, and the founder of an Art Museum.

As a journalist, Kornilov`s reportage focused on grassroots people, their lives and work. He combined story and art to create a sort of Uzbekistan chronicles. At the time, the newspapers that featured his work included Nedelya (Week), magazines Molodaya gvardiya (the Young Guard) and Zvezda vostoka (Star of the Orient) among others.

“Karakalpakstan is located on the shores of the Aral Sea and the banks of Amudarya River, and among three distant deserts of Kyzylkum, Karakum and Usturt,” says Yelena Sadykova of the Institute of Cultural and Natural Heritage of Russia`s Ministry of Culture. “But the exhibition`s location in Moscow cuts the distance for the Moscow public. I had a great time viewing Kornilov`s pieces. They are lively and one feels impelled to come back here.”

At the opening ceremony Kornilov emphasized that it was in Uzbekistan that he became a true artist, and in each of his works he glorifies the colorful scenery of his native land and the warmth of the Uzbek and Karakalpak nations. His artworks are filled with freedom and effortlessness, and are inspired by the splendor of Uzbek land.

“Uzbekistan became a country that is close to my heart and soul,” says Nikolai Kornilov. “It is a land of the hot sun, dry winds, a land of flowering oases and a boundless expanse of thirsty steppes; it is home to sandy waves and the unforgettable color of the Aral Sea. I lived in Tashkent for a long time and I consider myself a chronicler of Tashkent. I`ve written not a single book about Tashkent, especially in the wake on the 1966 earthquake. But today I`m celebrating Karakalpakstan where I lived and created works for many years. The inspiration it gave will last forever. I`m almost 80 years old, but spiritually I`m in Uzbekistan. My art will be dedicated to the people of Tashkent and the Karakalpaks. I`m very glad that the Fund Forum, which is very famous in Russia, and the Uzbek Embassy have provided support in organizing this exhibition.”

Equally noteworthy are Kornilov`s graphic works. His pieces convey a feeling of swiftness and ease. What he has seen turns into masterful strokes on his works as if swiftly jotting down lines in his journal. The artist`s style mirrors people`s character, moods, national features and the scenery. His pictures have appeared in publications in Bulgaria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Cuba and Poland.

“This exhibition is very unusual and interesting,” says Yury Yekimenko, a member of the Creative Association of Artists of Russia. “I have known Nikolai Izosimovich for 20 years, but he still continues to amaze me with his creativity. I`m always watching his creative endeavors and visit any art show that contains his works. This exhibition is so diverse. You can see unusual canvasses dedicated to Uzbekistan and interesting works crafted in graphic style. I wish this man the best of luck and inspiration.”

Presently, Nikolai Kornilov serves as president of the international association “Art of the Nations of the World”. He is an honorary artist of Karakalpakstan, writer, journalist, collector and founder of Nikor Gallery in Moscow. He has authored a number of books and exhibition held in the east. This is the second time the Central House of Arts is housing his solo art show. As a collector, he created the base for 40 galleries in Kokchetav (Kazakhstan), Omsk, Bratsk, Petushki, (where he set up Rooster Museum) as well as in Ashmyany (Belarus), Verkhnyaya Pyshma (Ural) and other cities.