Born in Ukraine in 1951 and educated as an architect, Vladimir Kanevsky immigrated to the United States thirty-six years ago. Shortly after his arrival, he began working on figurative sculptures while experimenting with porcelain, bronze, ceramic, cement, and plastics. Eventually, he focused on porcelain, crafting unique table services and sculptures using flowers as the main characters, an occasion to tell larger stories. “Flowers,” Kanevsky has said, “are arguably the most prevalent topic in the history of art and architecture. Their cultural and symbolic significance offered infinite possibilities for artists.” Using porcelain in combination with metal, Kanevsky creates pieces based on hundreds of years of European floral tradition. Often employing a large scale along with an acute attention to the anatomy of specific plants, he creates factual works of art. Kanevsky says that the fusion of art and engineering in the design of these objects reminds him of his love of architecture and his past experience in the field. By developing innovative techniques and tools over the years, the artist has brought new energy to ancient materials, allowing him to create sophisticated modern objects.
Kanevsky has had solo exhibitions at the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory (Meissen, Germany), the State Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg, Russia), and Hillwood Museum (Washington), among others.
Photo David Solodukho