Born at Moscow in 1961, Valeriy Belenikin is a graduate of the Moscow Academy of Fine Arts named after V. I. Surikov.

The artist's conception of his work is based upon truth and the mystery of this life.He is in awe of all that takes place in this world. Not only human banality, but all that is best in humanity occupy the thoughts of the true artist.

As master of various artistic techniques (murals, frescoes, mosaics) he is easily able to communicate his innermost emotions and feelings.

Valeriy's initial works are housed in public buildings and cultural centers in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Vienna and Melbourne. Based on his paintings lectures are currently being delivered at the Institute of Humanitarian Studies, Melbourne University. In addition, his paintings are to be found not only in public foundations,such as: The State House of Lieutenant Governor (USA), ING Bank (Vienna and Paris), the Russian Cultural Center (Moscow),the Gallery Mars (Moscow),but also in many private and corporate collections the world over: Russia, France, Germany, USA, Italy, Japan, Belgium, Argentina, Syria, Australia, Holland, Sweden, Switzerland, Greece, etc.

At the present time Valeriy is actively and productively engaged in the realization of his own artistic plans, which plans will hopefully enrich world culture.

Valeriy's first language may be Russian, but the language of Art is, after all is said and done, international in its scope.




Valeriy Belenikin may speak Russian, but he communicates in an international language. His is the language of narrative art, for his paintings often seek to tell a story. In Belenikin's paintings you not only see art, but you are reading a work of art in the making: they do not have a traditional beginning, middle and end as has a novel. Rather, they focus on a particular moment in time, a situation or event. For Valeriy Belenikin art becomes inextricably entwined with life itself.

Valeriy Belenikin is a contemporary narrative painter who puts his own twist on what is often an old story of life, personal relationships, tension, difficulties in communication, human frailty, politics and the like. A voracious reader, he draws upon the classics as well as fairy tales to present his art. Although Belenikin comments on the modern world, he often does this by looking back in time, presenting his figures in dress, relationships and a life style from a more romantic and beautiful period of life.

Creativity flows from the hands of this artist. Often his works evoke a mood of fantasy. His technical skills are obvious. He is able to delicately recreate the human figure in intricate detail. But these are much more than meticulously prepared realistic paintings. This is narrative art at the highest level. Belenikin relies heavily on symbolism to provide insights that help to shape an understanding of the world we live in. This is not "pretty" art. Rather it is art that requires concentration and thought. The artist relies heavily on allegory. His paintings represent a relentless intellectual inquiry into a wide range of personal and social issues. Although there is no single, fixed interpretation of a particular work of art, Valeriy Belenikin will be happy to provide great detail about his own interpretation.

Valeriy Belenikin paints in search of his own place in art history. His imagination is among the most active and vivid in today's art community.

See if you don't agree when surveying these works.