The Moscow-based nonagenarian was acknowledged as a cause celebre among a pantheon of international greats. Says Neeta Lal
Zurab Tsereteli is no more. The celebrated Georgian-Russian artist passed away on April 22 aged 91 leaving behind a phenomenal legacy of work, his oeuvre encompassing oils, sculpture, murals, mosaics, installations and more.
President of the Russian Academy of Arts, the Moscow-based nonagenarian was acknowledged as a cause celebre among a pantheon of international greats. Indeed he was a master craftsman who single-handedly transformed Moscow’s skyline with his prolific and prodigious output.
Tsereteli’s influence and global empire straddled many continents. He has a private museum devoted to him in Georgia; a gallery in Russia and ateliers in Paris, New York, Tbilisi and of course Moscow where he resided. His epic bronze and copper art works peppered places like New York, Italy, Spain, Great Britain, France, Uruguay, Israel, Japan, Greece, the USA, Serbia, Canada, and, of course, the maestro’s homeland – Georgia.
One of Russia’s most important albeit polarising artists, I had the good fortune to meet him in Moscow several times in his studio watching him paint and sculpt from close quarters as his loving family rallied around him— daughter Elena, grandson Vasili, adoring great grandchildren, trusted work hands and dogs.
Tsereteli was a passionate and uncompromising artist, working relentlessly and painstakingly for hours till perfection was achieved. I also had the opportunity to cover many of his exhibitions as well—in Georgia, Azerbaijan, China, Lichtenstein, Moscow and more.
A people lover, and generous to a fault, he was always there to receive his guests at all his functions, immaculately dressed in beautiful suits, laughing and joking and entertaining lavishly. His highly instagram-mable tables in his elegant mansion in Moscow groaned under delicious Georgian food and the finest of wines as friends raised effervescent toasts to him and his friendship.
A true international artist, Tsereteli also incorporated influences from Indian scriptures into some of his works. This included the supersize interactive sculpture called `The Apple’ which was awash with murals of men and women standing in kamasutra-like poses, the artist’s ode to Indian culture as depicted in ancient scriptures.
Tsereteli was keen to bring his work to India as well. Alas that was not to be. Instead he reached heaven before that to illuminate it with his art. Rest in peace Zurab. You’ll be missed.
About the writer:
New Delhi-based journalist and editor Neeta Lal has worked with India’s leading publications in her three-decade career. She writes for over 20 publications worldwide and was nominated for World Media Summit Global Awards for Excellence 2014 and SOPA Awards 2014. A postgraduate in English literature, she has also been a scholar at the International Summer School, Norway and Concordia University, Canada, and has travelled to 75 countries in search of good stories on travel, gastronomy, art and culture.
