Elena Begma
Education:
2006-2012 – Surikov Moscow Academic Art Institute, Moscow, Russia;
2011 – Academy of Arts, Banska Bystrica, Slovakia;
1999-2004 – Grekov Rostov Art School, Rostov-on-Don, Russia;
1993-1997 – Chinenov Children’s Art School, Rostov-on-Don, Russia.
Biography:
I grew up in creative atmosphere of my artistic family, in my parents’ studio, among canvases and drawing folders, glasses with brushes, endless bookshelves and my mother’s still lifes. Our living space has always been filled with art. The parents developed creative skills of the Begma children before they went to art schools. Our large creative family now consists of 15 professional painters. My father Vladimir Begma, Merited Artist of Russia, has raised a galaxy of famous contemporary artists.
I enjoyed brilliant opportunities to study painting from early childhood. I went to the children’s art school and then to Grekov Art School in Rostov. After completing my studies there I entered Surikov Moscow Academic Art Institute. Moving to Moscow was a hard time for my art. In my hometown, I used to paint from nature, depicting images of old times and the Cossacks life, but the megapolis vibes and images were alien to my soul. I was confused: on one hand, the Tretyakov Gallery with its rich heritage, on the other hand – Surikov Academic Art Institute with glorious painters, sculptors and graphic artists. I strongly felt obliged to comply with such ambience, so my participation in many prestigious exhibitions and international art trips was no accident. I deliberately searched for new ideas and new ways of creative expression.
When I graduated from the institute and went out on my own, it was time not only to establish myself as a painter but also to share knowledge gained. In 2013 I came up with an idea of creating a teaching project for adults who are not connected with art and opening of the art studio Will Paint. This school of a brand new formation is based on an innovative approach to teaching through engaging people of all ages in art and uniting creatives for global art projects aiming to reach a large audience.
Awards:
2014 – "Celebration of the 70th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War" Medal by the Russian Municipal Academy;
2013 – Joined The Russian Union of Artists;
2010 – The Gold Medal of the Russian Academy of Arts;
2010 – "In the Name of Life" Medal by the Russian State Committee;
2007 – "For Valorous Labour" Medal by the Russian State Committee.
Residencies:
2018 – Vukadinovitch Art Symposium within Art Soul of the East, Serbia;
2013 – Plein-air by International Academy of Culture and Art in Wuxi, Jiangyin, Yixing, China;
2012 – International Art Symposium, Detva, Slovakia;
2012 – Montmartre in Banska Bystrica Symposium, Banska Bystrica, Slovakia;
2010 – 17th International Art Festival, Snina, Slovakia;
2009 – Festival of Young Russian Culture in Italy, Rome, Santa Marinella, Cerveteri, Tolfa, Italy.
Solo Exhibitions:
2019 – Story in Two Faces, 20:20 Iconic Art Vision, Moscow, Russia;
2017 – Solo Exhibition, Modny Season Fashion Gallery, Moscow, Russia;
2017 – Solo Exhibition, Vogue Fashion Night Out, Moscow, Russia;
2016 – Solo Exhibition, DEVE Gallery, Moscow, Russia;
2010 – Painting and Graphics, Solo Exhibition of Elena Begma and Vladimir Begma, Federation Council and Moscow City Duma, Moscow, Russia.
Group Exhibitions:
2018 – Ballet, 20:20 Iconic Art Vision, Moscow, Russia;
2018 – Infinity of Light, Can Bono Gallery, Palma de Mallorca, Spain;
2018 – Art Exhibition, Cultural Center of China, Moscow, Russia;
2017 – Karamzin, Pushkin – Epoch and Time, Federation Council, Moscow, Russia;
2015 – Flags of war, Exhibition of the 70th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, Moscow, Russia;
2015 – World War I in the Young Artist’s Art, Burdenko Main Clinical Military Hospital, Moscow, Russia;
2014 – International Assembly of Artists, Ulyanovsk, Russia;
2014 – Graphics of the Russian South. 21 century, cities of Grozny, Krasnodar, Novorossiysk, Pyatigorsk, Rostov-on-Don, Sochi, Astrakhan etc, Russia;
2014 – The Beauty of the Native Land of mine, Museum of Moscow, Moscow, Russia;
2014 – Russia is my Native Land, Association of Fellow-Countrymen, Moscow, Russia;
2013 – And All of Russia Still Remembers, Moscow City Duma, Moscow, Russia;
2013 – Mobile Painting Exhibition, cities of Wuxi, Jiangyin, Yixing, China;
2013 – Moscow International Art Show The Process-2013, Central House of Artists, Moscow, Russia;
2013 – Youth Exhibition of Moscow Union of Artists, Moscow, Russia;
2013 – Young Art, Plastov Young Creators Supporting Fund, Moscow, Russia;
2012 – International Art Symposium, Detva, Slovakia;
2012 – Tribute to the Skytroopers, Central Museum of Armed Forces, Moscow, Russia;
2011 – The Great Breakdown, New Manege Exhibition Hall, Moscow, Russia;
2011 – History of Russia in the Eyes of Alumni of Surikov Institute’s Class of Military and Historical Painting, Federation Council and Moscow City Duma, Moscow, Russia;
2010 – Memory Of Generations, Museum of Moscow, Moscow, Russia;
2010 – Our Victory – our Piece, Exhibition of the 65th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, Moscow, Russia;
2010 – Young Artists of Russia, Central House of Artists, Moscow, Russia;
2010 – 4th International Festival of Fine Arts "Traditions and Modernity", Moscow, Russia;
2010 – Truth about Victory, Association of Fellow-Countrymen, Moscow, Russia;
2010 – Young Russian Culture in Italy, cities of Rome, Santa Marinella, Cerveteri, Tolfa, Italy;
2009 – Youth Regional Exhibition, New Manege Exhibition Hall, Moscow, Russia;
2009 – Youth Exhibition of Moscow Union of Artists, Moscow, Russia;
2008 – Moscow – the City of Piece, Battle of Borodino Museum, Moscow, Russia;
2008 – Image of Russia, British Embassy, Moscow, Russia.
