Alexandr Kachkin (born 1955), is a Ukranian born artist. Kachkin is well known for his portraiture of both humorous and tragic characters, all of which have been seen at one time or other in his childhood
neighbourhood of Podol, Kiev.[1] His work is reminiscent of the great painters of the 17th century, Rembrandt, Velasquez, and Johannes Vermeer, but unique nonetheless.[2]
Having graduated from Kiev State Art Institute in 1980, he went on to be both an artist-painter and a teacher. Kachkin is also a member of the Union of Artists of Ukraine from 1984, and was a member of the Secretariat and Arts Council of the Art Foundation of Ukraine in Kiev from 1986 until 1996 when he left Ukraine to move to Toronto, Canada.
Alexandr Kachkin was a participant and winner of numerous international and national art shows, receiving numerous awards including the Ukrainian President Award (Kiev, 1994), and “Music in Art” show Grand Prix (Moscow, 1996).
Kachkin’s artwork can be found in numerous art galleries around Canada.
Alexandr Kachkin was born and raised in Kiev, Ukraine. When he was young he was often read to by his father, who focused greatly on encouraging him to become a highly literate individual. It was a love of storytelling that would later inspire Kachkin’s character-drawn paintings.[1]
Kachkin studied diligently. It was at the age of sixteen that he began his studies of the arts at the prestigious Academy of Fine Arts located in Kiev.[1] He graduated from the Institute in 1980, with a Doctorate of Fine Arts.[3]
Alexandr Kachkin is “a painter’s painter, engaging in a tradition dating back to much earlier portraiture” .[4] His works focus on the everyday heroes of the poor: from the brave bullfighters (Toreador), to violin players (Fiddler) and street musicians, imaginative children, and aging friends amusing neighbours gathered in the kitchen (Celebration).[1][5] His characters are alternatively humorous and tragic, derived from a combination of his imagination as well as people he has seen at some point in his life in his childhood neighbourhood of Podol in Kiev. [1]
His art work is both at once contemplative and literal, romantic and realistic, highlighting “the deliberation of the compositions, colours and pain handling”.[4][6] Although his technique harks back to his classical education, the end result of his work suggests the way in which he likes to play with traditional forms, complicating them without abandoning them altogether.[4][7]
All of his works tell a story. For instance, in “Dreaming of an Old Friend” viewers see a young person wondering at the comforting elements surrounding him – his cat and goldfish appear to become imaginative wonders as he ponders them closely.[1] Kachkin’s goal, as an artist, is ultimately to capture what many people feel and desire[1] by using that which we find common in our daily lives
Alexandr Kachkin’s was given the chance at his first exhibit during Gorbachev’s Perestroika (Reorganization), in his home town of Podol in Kiev, Ukraine. The exhibit was entitled “Little Old Men of Podol” and was held at the newly opened Museum of Kiev.[8][9] Kachkin’s first exhibit had a very enthusiastic response from the audience, and many of his artwork were acquired by well-known private collectors.[8]
Since his first exhibit Kachkin has hosted many exhibitions in different countries, on various different continents.[9] He was able to showcase in solo exhibitions in Moscow, Kiev, and St. Peterburg.
Kachkin also won the Ukrainian President Award (Kiev, 1994), as well as special prizes at the opening of Moscow’s Central House of Painters Exhibition, at the “Art-Frankfurt ‘96’” exhibit in Germany, and at the Art Nitza’96 exhibit in France. Kachkin has received further praise at showings in Chicago and New York.[8]
Upon immigrating to Toronto, Canada in 1996, Kachkin also established himself in a small studio and shortly afterwards held his first Canadian Solo exhibition at Gallery Gevik in Toronto. He has since been exhibiting successfully in Toronto and Montreal.[8]
Spring 2010-2000: Artists Choice, Group exhibition, Galerie Valentin, Montreal
Winter 2009-1999: Small Size work, Group exhibition, Galerie Valentin, Montreal
Fall 2009 : Solo, Gallery Gevik, Toronto
Fall 2007 : Solo, Gallery Gevik, Toronto
Spring 2004: Solo, Galerie Valentin, Montreal
Spring 2002: Solo, Gallery Gevik, Toronto
Spring 2001: Solo, Galerie Valentin, Montreal
Spring 2000: Solo, Gallery Gevik, TorontoFile:Neighbor, 1990.jpgNeighbour (1990)Spring 1999: Self-portrait, Group exhibition, Galerie Valentin, Montreal
May 1999: Solo, Galerie Valentin, Montreal
Spring 1998: Solo, Gallery Gevik, Toronto
Fall 1997: Solo, Gallery Gevik, Toronto
April 1995: Artexpo 95, New York, USA
March 1995: Art Frankfurt 95, Germany
December 1994: Neo-Shag before Christmas, Central House of Artists, Moscow
May 1994: CIAE 94, Chicago, USA
March 1994: Art Frankfurt 94, Germany
March 1994: Artexpo 94, New York, USA
February 1993: Neo-Shag Gallery, Group Exhibition, Moscow
December 1993: Neo-Shag before Christmas, Central House of Artists, Moscow
November 1993: Christmas Collection, Neo-Shag Gallery, Exhibition Hall of St. Petersburg Union of Artists
October 1993: Artmif 3, Manege, Moscow
June 1993: Summer Opening Day, Neo-Shag Gallery, Central House of Artists, Moscow
March 1993: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Artists of two Capitals, Exhibition Hall of St. Petersburg Union of Artists
April 1993: Art Frankfurt 93, Germany
February 1993: Neo-Shag Gallery, Solo Exhibition, Exhibition Hall of the Union of Artists, Moscow
December 1992: Neo-Shag before Christmas, Central House of Artists, Moscow
October 1992: Neo-Shag, Première at St. Petersburg, Exhibition Hall of St. Petersburg Union of Artists
April 1992: New Name, Palace of Youth, Moscow. Painting prizeFile:Old king, 2000.jpgOld King (2000)April 1991: Solo Exhibition, History Museum of Kiev
