Ways of the Spirit
in the Center-Museum named after N.K. Roerich.
The exhibition features forty-five sculptures, some of which are on display for the first time. The central place is occupied by sculptural portraits of Nikolai Konstantinovich and Elena Roerich. Expressively and penetratingly, the author portrays the spiritual teachers of the East. Krishna, Buddha, Lao Tzu, Confucius, Akbar – behind each are Eternity, Wisdom, Beauty of the Spirit. The sculptural images of Joan of Arc, Christ, Sergius of Radonezh, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Yaroslav the Wise reveal the depth and beauty of Christian images.
The images of the Virgin and Madonna occupy a special place in the sculptor’s work – the Virgin Mary Tenderness, the Madonna and Child, the Madonna and the Cup. Turning many times to the theme of the Eternal Mother and Motherhood, the author praises the high hypostasis of the Feminine principle as the Patroness of the spiritual foundations of Culture and Peace – Madonna Oriflamma, Sophia Wisdom, Queen of Heaven. Harmonious and beautiful oriental female images – Carrier of Light, Leading, Devaki – mother of Krishna, Radha.
At the exhibition, the viewer will be able to admire wonderful children’s images – Little Krishna and Buddha, Idyll and Harmony, Maitri and Elena. Dreams that conquer with purity and special charm.
“Your sculptures are alive, they breathe,” the artist often hears these words from admiring spectators. Aleksei Leonov is young – he is only 26 years old, but already today they speak of him as an accomplished sculptor and even a Master. The young artist went all the way to training, from the Kiev art studio, which he visited from the age of five and where he first came into contact with clay – his favorite material, to the graduate school of the National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture of Ukraine, which he graduated in 2008. Today Aleksey is a member of the Union of Artists of Ukraine, a participant in many exhibitions and competitions. The works of Alexei Leonov are in private collections in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, USA, Canada.
The exhibition “Ways of the Spirit” is the third solo exhibition of Alexei Leonov at the Center-Museum named after N.K. Roerich. In the beautiful sculptures presented at the exhibition, the highest human ideals and aspirations have been embodied, they call for conscious participation in the creation of a better future for our planet. The sculptor is convinced that the rapprochement of the spiritual accumulations of the East and the scientific achievements of the West, genuine art, bringing beauty and light into the world, and all-pervasive tolerance can bring humanity to a new level of consciousness.
22.07.2009