Mikhail Shemyakin: Fakes spoil my artistic image

[Евгений]

13.11.2009 21:09 /
 Well-known artist Mikhail Shemyakin brought two paintings, signed his name, to determine authenticity. "This is not the hand of Bioorganic Chemistry", - once defined the master. "Fontanka" the artist expressed his suspicions about who distribute counterfeit, defames his name.

Some time ago, the Foundation artist Mikhail Shemyakin, which is located in St. Petersburg on Sadovaya Street, asked the collector from the Eagles, who offered to buy two oil paintings, signed by the name of the wizard. Man who had doubts about the authenticity of the pictures, asked the staff to allay his suspicions. Photos canvases were sent to the artist, and he immediately identified them fake. Assistants to the artist's contact with the art dealer who sold the painting, and asked her to bring the paintings to the Fund in order to Shemyakin looked at them myself. At a meeting with the wizard "psevdoshedevrami" came to staff "antique" Department of Internal Affairs and correspondents "Fontanka".

Shemyakin cursory glance was enough to categorically state: "An ugly texture. Shemyakin so rotten does not draw. He then explained in detail the art-dealer, why they can not be his works. On the fakes unknown artist joined several works by the master (of a series of "Carnival of St Petersburg", "Puppet" and sketches for the play "The Nutcracker"), changing colors and dorisovav new details. In reward upset unsuccessful buying young lady, the artist has kindly agreed to be photographed with her and her companion. The backdrop canvases thickly written a "fake" and signed, and the paintings themselves have seized members of "antique" department.

- I was told that these paintings had sold some Felix Komarov. This is not the first time this name is called in the stories associated with the appearance of counterfeit signed my name - told "Fontanka" Tourism. According to the artist, one of these stories surfaced last year when he arrived in Krasnoyarsk on the opening of the exhibition of their works.

- Came up to me man, the director introduced the Artists' Union of Krasnoyarsk, and happily reported that they were the very first "was brought to Krasnoyarsk Shemyakin" two years ago. As I found out it was an exhibition of works from private collections. I have contacted the collector and found out that he bought thirty "my" work performed "tehnikmiks" (which I invented), a Moscow curator Komarova of 2 thousand dollars each. I said to him, of course, said that the price was to be his cheerleaders. This is absolute nonsense, that my work could be evaluated in such a ridiculous amount - is perplexed Shemyakin.

Felix Komarov, by his own admission, the artist met about 15 years ago in America. He had no relation to art, but because it resulted in good people - the partners of Mikhail Baryshnikov on restaurant business - Shemyakin took him into his circle. Soon Komarov recognized artists that are imbued with lofty matters, and decided to open a jewelry business, and invited to do the work Shemyakin for sale in its stores. In addition to Mikhail Mikhailovich, were invited to cooperate with such famous masters as Ernst Unknown, Yuri Cooper and Igor Tulips.

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- Before you sign a contract with him, I asked him whether he had affairs with the brothers, and he replied in the negative. Some time later the New York Times published an article "Does Felix Komarov's connected to the Russian mafia?", Which, in particular, was announced that Komarov, who has denied links with the Mafia, twice from a federal prison called Jap. Of course, after that I decided to stop all business with this man. I, however, had to sue him because of the failure of our contract with his hand, to address that Komarov was to me to pay compensation of 390 thousand dollars. After the trial, he came to me and literally wept, saying that kind of money he does not, and he has taken away his luxury car, an apartment in a house where Donald Trump lives. I feel sorry for him: my lawyers draw up a contract, which I forgave him the debt in exchange for something that he would never sully my name. This agreement covers the territory of the United States, - tells the story of the break in relations with gallerists Komarov Shemyakin.

When the second time the famous artist had to deal with counterfeiting, the stories are again floated the name of Felix Komarov, he decided to appeal to Russia's rulers. Told "Fontanka" Mikhail Mikhailovich, he came to the reception to the Prosecutor General Yuri Chaika to the package of documents, and explained the whole situation. Law enforcement went to meet the master. Now the discovery fakes, as stated by our periodical head "antique" department Vladislav Kirillov, will be tested.

- I understand that in Russia is quite a lengthy process. In France, where two years ago discovered bronze statuettes, allegedly belonging to the hand Shemyakin, were arrested a few hours after my call to the police. And after the trial in the casting workshop we melted down to their original state ... While the essence of the case but, Komarov and will appear on the covers of glossy magazines for the crazy title "This man changed the face of New York" - laughs Mikhail Shemyakin. - You know, not Baryshnikov, not Rostropovich, and unknown jeweler Komarov change it. It's not even funny.

"Fontanka" filed a request with the proposal to comment on the statement of Bioorganic Chemistry at the fake paintings Komarov gallery owner and hopes to soon answer.

Tatiana Vostroilova, "Fontanka.ru"

http://www.fontanka.ru/2009/11/13/145/