Ivan Bondarenko
Ivan Bondarenko was born on 27 February 1958 in Frounzé, a small town in Kyrgyzstan whereto his parents - who were also painters - were deported under Stalin.
After completing his education at L'Ecole des Beaux Arts in Frounzé, Ivan Bondarenko continued his studies at L'Ecole Superieure des Beaux Arts in St. Petersburg, where he graduated from in 1983.
Bondarenko is a typical, exuberant example of the post-war generation, which is influenced both by the very violent events in the Soviet Union and the subsequent removal of the Iron Curtain, which gave him the opportunity to travel abroad with his art.
Since then, he has travelled extensively and especially to France, where he has had many exhibitions and where the Russian art really has gained momentum over the years. Ivan Bondarenko found here a country and a clientele that embraced him and his strong, expressive art that, like him, clearly has been inspired by the French countryside and lifestyle.
He still lives and works in St. Petersburg, where he has his roots and where he in the old Tzarby, with its high cultural level, meets a spiritual atmosphere that seems particularly inspiring for his incredible creativity.
Selected exhibitions
1983 Galerie Nane, Budapest
1993 Galerie Paul DELVAUX à Namur, Belgien
1994 Galerie ART à Salon-de-Provence
1994 Centre de la culture Anglo- Russe, London
1995 Hôtel de Ville de Valréas
1995 Centre Culturel de St. Martin de Crau
1995 Galerie ART
1996 Galerie Borei, Saint Petersborg
1996 Galerie ART
1996 Galerie La Maison du Chevalier
1996 Le Libéral à Marseille
1997 Galerie Flirey's
1997 Galerie Laure Matarasso, Nice
1997 Le Libéral à Marseille
1998 Centre Culturel de Saint-Martin-de-Crau
1999 Espace Pyramide
1999 Galerie Flirey's