Three Centuries of Wanderings. The Legacy of the Volkov Family

For the first time, works by three generations of an exceptional creative family are showcased in one exhibition. The event is dedicated to the 140th anniversary of Alexander Nikolaevich Volkov's (1886–1957), the head of this dynasty and one of the most prominent representatives of the Turkestan avant-garde. He was the pioneer of modernism in the Uzbekistan art of the late 1910s and 1950s. His sons, Valery Alexandrovich (1928–2020) and Alexander Alexandrovich, born in 1937, maintained a lifelong connection with their father and inherited his creative approach. They chose their own paths in the art, and their works seamlessly blend the Eastern philosophy with the traditions of Russian and European painting schools. The exhibition also includes works by Alexey Alexandrovich Rybnikov (1887–1949), a member of the older generation of the family. A subtle master of northern landscapes, Rybnikov encountered A.N. Volkov during a trip to Uzbekistan. Rybnikov's connection with the Volkov family is further reinforced by the marriage of his granddaughter, Maria Bubnova, to Alexander Alexandrovich Volkov.
Andrey Aleksandrovich Volkov (b. 1968), grandson of A.N. Volkov and great-grandson of A.A. Rybnikov, represents the contemporary branch of the lineage. His work in the "color field" style is the quintessence of the artistic efforts of the previous generations of Volkovs. It is showcased at the Museum of Oriental Arts for the first time. The exhibition features over a hundred works from various artists, along with archival materials such as photographs, documents, and A.N. Volkov's diaries, which provide valuable insight into the artists' creative journey.