Gafur Mendagaliev, St. Petersburg Gafur Mendagaliev graduated from the Art School of Astrakhan in 1983 and continued his studies at the craftsmen studios of A.V. Kondratjev and A.P. Zaitsev. During his career, he has built an impressive record of solo and group shows worldwide. St. Petersburg is an excellent example of Mendagaliev’s matured style; the dark colors (usually cool), the buildings that seem to fade into one another, the black outlines, and the defiant brushstrokes

Svetlana Stepanova, Archangel Michael and Joann Predtecha Svetlana Stepanova was born in Novgorod and attended the Novgorod University. Since 1986, Stepanova has been involved in the creation of art which she has exhibited in various venues. Her work Archangel Michael and Joann Predtecha (c. 1997) has been widely shown. Stepanova’s work is profoundly impacted by the Novgorodians’ rich tradition of icon painting; which is evident here in Archangel Michael and Joann Predtecha.