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Ilya Zomb

November 20 - December 23 | San Francisco

The bewitching paintings of Ilya Zomb seen to depict a parallel universe, a place of strange, graceful beauty populated by a delicate cast of women and birds, attentive animals and lavish fruits and flowers. Over the decades of his practice, first in his native Russia, and then in New York, Zomb has cultivated and honed his singular vision, fleshing out his fictional realm with unrelenting passion. While Zomb’s precise, lush, and luminous technique is akin to the style of Renaissance masters, his subject matter nods to Surrealism and to magical realist literature, which likewise integrates fabulist and fairytale elements. His Compositions tend to defy gravity, as if to say that art is above all a space of suspension, where beauty becomes the highest law and the restrictions of the real world fall away.

Biography

In the paintings of Russian-born artist Ilya Zomb, images of ballerinas, elephants, and gigantic fruits appear as if out of a dream, but the artist says it’s the everyday life in New York,where he lives, that inspires his flights of fancy.

Occupying the shadowy space "between the possible and impossible, the real and unreal," Ilya Zomb's brilliantly conceived, chimerical paintings lie at the elusive intersection of reality and pure fantasy. They are reminiscent of such diverse masters as Botticelli, Degas, and Magritte – but perhaps one of the most intriguing aspects of this Russian artist's work is that, despite myriad tempting comparisons, it remains curiously unique.

Zomb's images can be incredibly theatrical, recalling the dream sequences often found in productions of dance, or the nature-defying feats of circus performers. At other times the scenes have a mythical, literary feel, and we can easily imagine them as sumptuous illustrations for a lost book of parables penned by the likes of Scheherazade. An intensely perceptive artist, Zomb never fails to account for the contradictory emotions provoked by the uncertainty of reality. His works are dynamic with an air of celebration, of a spectacular and opulent grand finale, while other pieces of his are poignant and meditative as a still pool.

Like all great spinners of tales, Zomb is a superb sorcerer. He continually manipulates our most basic expectations by altering proportion, hinting at hidden allegory, and manifesting, through careful realism, scenes that barely perch on the possible. Entreating viewers to "look at my paintings as you would travel to some exotic country and stare in amazement at the strange new world," Zomb deftly conjures a vision where man-sized fruit is perpetually ripe; where beasts and storms, purged of their minatory natures, are harbingers of peace and beauty. His dreamy, enchanting work allows for the kind of utopic harmony that is all but nonexistent in the realm of the brutally real. And his stirring messages, while rooted in an exploration of the ancient human longing to control circumstance and environment, bear relevance to the most contemporary of concerns.

Born

1960 


Education

1975–79 BFA, Odessa State Art College, USSR.

1971–75 Odessa Art School, USSR.


Museum Collections

Knoxville Museum of Art, Knoxville, TN.

National Museum of Art of Ukraine, Kiev, USSR.


Publications

Cover, Arabella Magazine, Winter 2015. • Editorial, Arabella Magazine, Winter 2015. • Editorial, Nashville Arts Magazine, January 2014. • Cover, Marin Magazine, January 2012. • Cover, American Arts Quarterly Magazine, Winter 2010. • Menninger, Perspective, Number 2, 2002, Number 2, 2004. • Art Now Gallery Guide, May 2004. • METPO, Russian American Weekly Magazine, May 2004. • The Week, Page 26, November 30, 2001. • The Spirit of Butterflies, Harry N. Abrams, Inc. 2000. • Cover, Entree Magazine, 2000. • Mode Magazine, 1999, 1998. • The Knoxville News-Sentinel, 1998. • Gallery & Studio, 1999. • Metro Pulse, 1996, 1998. • Novoye Russkoye Slovo (Russian American Daily Newspaper) 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2007. • The Nantucket Beacon, 1996. • The New York Observer, 1996. • Russian Reporter, 1996. • ArtSpeak, 1993, 1995. • The Worcester Phoenix, 1995. • North County News, 1993. • Jewish Week, 1993. • Voices, 1990. • Heritage Villager, 1990.


Interviews

Interview, TV Channel "Culture", Russia, 2007.

Interview, WMNB, Russian American Broadcasting Co., 1995.

Interview, WCCA Cable 13, Massachusetts, 1995.


Selected Solo Exhibitions

2020  Birds’ Hubbub, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, Montecito, CA

2017 Niches & Spaces, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, SF, CA.

2015 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.

2013 Outdoor Realities, Campton Gallery, New York City.

2011 Indoor Realities, Campton Gallery, New York City.

2009 Overcoming Stillness, Campton Gallery, New York, NY.

2006 Metamorphoses of Stillness, Campton Gallery, New York, NY.

2004 Pairs, Campton Gallery, New York, NY.

2001 New Myths, Campton Gallery, New York, NY.

1999 Campton Gallery, New York, NY.

1998 Bennett Galleries, Knoxville, TN.

           Sailor Valentine's Gallery, Nantucket, MA.

1997 Daily Phenomena, Avery on Bond, New York, NY.

           Davidson Galleries, Seattle, WA.

1996 Bennett Galleries, Knoxville, TN.

1995 Central Park's Fairy Tales, Synchronicity Space Gallery, New York, NY.

Press

PRESS

Selected Artworks

The Sunset Before Thanksgiving

The Sunset Before Thanksgiving

Oil on Canvas

21 x 29 inches

A23618

Morning at Bay Area

Morning at Bay Area

Oil on Canvas

30 x 48 inches

A23616

Black Francolin Awaits | SOLD

Black Francolin Awaits | SOLD

Oil on Canvas

22 x 18 inches framed

24427

Looking into the Same Direction | SOLD

Looking into the Same Direction | SOLD

Oil on Canvas

37.50 x 49.50 inches framed

24388

When the Morning Fog was Burned off

When the Morning Fog was Burned off

Oil on Canvas

27.25 x 45.50 inches framed

24387

Invasion on the Spotted Lanternflies | SOLD

Invasion on the Spotted Lanternflies | SOLD

Oil on Canvas

18 x 22 inches framed

24017

This is how the day Begins | SOLD

This is how the day Begins | SOLD

Oil on Canvas

44 x 40 inches

23672

The Correct State of Positions | SOLD

The Correct State of Positions | SOLD

Oil on Canvas

15 x 19 inches

23590

Moving to the Light | SOLD

Moving to the Light | SOLD

Oil on Canvas

17 x 30 inches

23279

Land of Kaleyards & Orchards l SOLD

Land of Kaleyards & Orchards l SOLD

Oil on Canvas

23 x 19 inches

200470

Morning Red Ibises Flew In l SOLD

Morning Red Ibises Flew In l SOLD

Oil on Canvas

42 x 32 inches

190459

Niche with Clear Drops of Water l SOLD

Niche with Clear Drops of Water l SOLD

Oil on Canvas

23 x 19 inches

180517

Born

1960 


Education

1975–79 BFA, Odessa State Art College, USSR.

1971–75 Odessa Art School, USSR.


Museum Collections

Knoxville Museum of Art, Knoxville, TN.

National Museum of Art of Ukraine, Kiev, USSR.


Publications

Cover, Arabella Magazine, Winter 2015. • Editorial, Arabella Magazine, Winter 2015. • Editorial, Nashville Arts Magazine, January 2014. • Cover, Marin Magazine, January 2012. • Cover, American Arts Quarterly Magazine, Winter 2010. • Menninger, Perspective, Number 2, 2002, Number 2, 2004. • Art Now Gallery Guide, May 2004. • METPO, Russian American Weekly Magazine, May 2004. • The Week, Page 26, November 30, 2001. • The Spirit of Butterflies, Harry N. Abrams, Inc. 2000. • Cover, Entree Magazine, 2000. • Mode Magazine, 1999, 1998. • The Knoxville News-Sentinel, 1998. • Gallery & Studio, 1999. • Metro Pulse, 1996, 1998. • Novoye Russkoye Slovo (Russian American Daily Newspaper) 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2007. • The Nantucket Beacon, 1996. • The New York Observer, 1996. • Russian Reporter, 1996. • ArtSpeak, 1993, 1995. • The Worcester Phoenix, 1995. • North County News, 1993. • Jewish Week, 1993. • Voices, 1990. • Heritage Villager, 1990.


Interviews

Interview, TV Channel "Culture", Russia, 2007.

Interview, WMNB, Russian American Broadcasting Co., 1995.

Interview, WCCA Cable 13, Massachusetts, 1995.


Selected Solo Exhibitions

2020  Birds’ Hubbub, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, Montecito, CA

2017 Niches & Spaces, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, SF, CA.

2015 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.

2013 Outdoor Realities, Campton Gallery, New York City.

2011 Indoor Realities, Campton Gallery, New York City.

2009 Overcoming Stillness, Campton Gallery, New York, NY.

2006 Metamorphoses of Stillness, Campton Gallery, New York, NY.

2004 Pairs, Campton Gallery, New York, NY.

2001 New Myths, Campton Gallery, New York, NY.

1999 Campton Gallery, New York, NY.

1998 Bennett Galleries, Knoxville, TN.

           Sailor Valentine's Gallery, Nantucket, MA.

1997 Daily Phenomena, Avery on Bond, New York, NY.

           Davidson Galleries, Seattle, WA.

1996 Bennett Galleries, Knoxville, TN.

1995 Central Park's Fairy Tales, Synchronicity Space Gallery, New York, NY.

In the paintings of Russian-born artist Ilya Zomb, images of ballerinas, elephants, and gigantic fruits appear as if out of a dream, but the artist says it’s the everyday life in New York,where he lives, that inspires his flights of fancy.

Occupying the shadowy space "between the possible and impossible, the real and unreal," Ilya Zomb's brilliantly conceived, chimerical paintings lie at the elusive intersection of reality and pure fantasy. They are reminiscent of such diverse masters as Botticelli, Degas, and Magritte – but perhaps one of the most intriguing aspects of this Russian artist's work is that, despite myriad tempting comparisons, it remains curiously unique.

Zomb's images can be incredibly theatrical, recalling the dream sequences often found in productions of dance, or the nature-defying feats of circus performers. At other times the scenes have a mythical, literary feel, and we can easily imagine them as sumptuous illustrations for a lost book of parables penned by the likes of Scheherazade. An intensely perceptive artist, Zomb never fails to account for the contradictory emotions provoked by the uncertainty of reality. His works are dynamic with an air of celebration, of a spectacular and opulent grand finale, while other pieces of his are poignant and meditative as a still pool.

Like all great spinners of tales, Zomb is a superb sorcerer. He continually manipulates our most basic expectations by altering proportion, hinting at hidden allegory, and manifesting, through careful realism, scenes that barely perch on the possible. Entreating viewers to "look at my paintings as you would travel to some exotic country and stare in amazement at the strange new world," Zomb deftly conjures a vision where man-sized fruit is perpetually ripe; where beasts and storms, purged of their minatory natures, are harbingers of peace and beauty. His dreamy, enchanting work allows for the kind of utopic harmony that is all but nonexistent in the realm of the brutally real. And his stirring messages, while rooted in an exploration of the ancient human longing to control circumstance and environment, bear relevance to the most contemporary of concerns.

Ilya Zomb
Biography

Press

November 20 - December 23 | San Francisco

The bewitching paintings of Ilya Zomb seen to depict a parallel universe, a place of strange, graceful beauty populated by a delicate cast of women and birds, attentive animals and lavish fruits and flowers. Over the decades of his practice, first in his native Russia, and then in New York, Zomb has cultivated and honed his singular vision, fleshing out his fictional realm with unrelenting passion. While Zomb’s precise, lush, and luminous technique is akin to the style of Renaissance masters, his subject matter nods to Surrealism and to magical realist literature, which likewise integrates fabulist and fairytale elements. His Compositions tend to defy gravity, as if to say that art is above all a space of suspension, where beauty becomes the highest law and the restrictions of the real world fall away.

Ilya Zomb

In a new series of paintings, Ilya Zomb turns his intricate imagination to birds, depicting them in balancing acts with insects and fruit in whimsical, wonderful still-lifes. The birds are as precise and specific as Audubon’s: royal blue hadeda ibis, yellow-billed stork, African crake, ashy-headed goose, each painted in a luminous palette with exquisite detail down to the individual markings on their feathers. Gazing at the viewer with sharp eyes, they possess an avian quality that is uncannily lifelike, a perfect blend of elegance and comic charm.

November 20 - December 23 | San Francisco

The bewitching paintings of Ilya Zomb seen to depict a parallel universe, a place of strange, graceful beauty populated by a delicate cast of women and birds, attentive animals and lavish fruits and flowers. Over the decades of his practice, first in his native Russia, and then in New York, Zomb has cultivated and honed his singular vision, fleshing out his fictional realm with unrelenting passion. While Zomb’s precise, lush, and luminous technique is akin to the style of Renaissance masters, his subject matter nods to Surrealism and to magical realist literature, which likewise integrates fabulist and fairytale elements. His Compositions tend to defy gravity, as if to say that art is above all a space of suspension, where beauty becomes the highest law and the restrictions of the real world fall away.

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