EXHIBITION Aladdin Garunov’s First US Solo Exhibition at Gallery SHCHUKIN

Aladdin Garunov / Emulation, Kaaba, 2009 / Courtesy of the Gallery SHCHUKIN and the Artist

One of the first galleries to bring Russian contemporary art to Western audiences, Gallery SHCHUKIN has introduced many artists who have become prominent figures on the international stage. This inaugural exhibition, reflecting the gallery’s history and commitment to discovering and cultivating international talent, surveys Garunov’s work of the past fifteen years and encompasses 29 paintings and objects.

Garunov's work, inspired by Islamic themes and traditions, richly combines pattern and Arabic calligraphy. In his work, Garunov is using various materials from old and discarded Asian carpets to fur and industrial materials such as rubber.

Aladdin Garunov / My Prayer, from series Zikr / Courtesy of the Gallery SHCHUKIN and the Artist

Aladdin Garunov / Untitled, from series Zikr / Courtesy of the Gallery SHCHUKIN and the Artist

"The works selected for this exhibition span the entire period of Garunov’s mature output as an artist. They represent one aspect of his work—he also works with installations, video, and paintings—and show how his exploration of the painting/object has evolved from his first tentative forays to his more commanding works of the past few years." (Matthew Drutt)

Aladdin Garunov / from series Zikr / Courtesy of the Gallery SHCHUKIN and the Artist

Aladdin Garunov / from series Zikr / Courtesy of the Gallery SHCHUKIN and the Artist

Aladdin Garunov / from series Zikr / Courtesy of the Gallery SHCHUKIN and the Artist

Born in Dagestan in 1956, Aladdin Garunov is an artist and sculptor living in Moscow, Russia. Garunov started exhibiting in Russia and Europe in the beginning of 1990s with solo and group shows and received critical acclaim for his work inspired by Islamic themes and traditions. Twice the finalist of the prestigious Kandinsky Prize, Garunov’s work is often shown in solo and group exhibitions and is included in private and public collections, including National Centre for Contemporary Arts, Moscow, Russia; State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia; State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia; Moscow Museum of Modern Art; and many others.

Aladdin Garunov / from series Zikr / Courtesy of the Gallery SHCHUKIN and the Artist

Aladdin Garunov / from series Zikr / Courtesy of the Gallery SHCHUKIN and the Artist

Matthew Drutt (M.A. Yale University) is an independent, New York-based curator specializing in modern and contemporary art. He was previously the Executive Director of the Blouin Cultural Advisory Group. Prior to this appointment, he was Executive Director of Lisson Gallery in London, Milan, and New York, where he oversaw its international sales of such stellar artists as Daniel Buren, Tony Cragg, Dan Graham, Anish Kapoor, Jason Martin, and Lawrence Weiner.

Aladdin Garunov / from series Zikr / Courtesy of the Gallery SHCHUKIN and the Artist

Aladdin Garunov / from series Zikr / Courtesy of the Gallery SHCHUKIN and the Artist

Aladdin Garunov / from series Zikr / Courtesy of the Gallery SHCHUKIN and the Artist

Gallery SHCHUKIN is an international arts organization with a representative office in Moscow and gallery exhibition spaces in Paris and New York. Founded in 1987, the gallery specializes in modern and contemporary art and is dedicated to discovering and cultivating cutting edge contemporary artists. The newest location of Gallery SHCHUKIN, a two-level, 3,500-square-foot space at 524 W 19th Street in New York, opened in spring 2014. Through exhibitions, publications, collaborations, and its non-profit component, “National Foundation for Art Collection,” Gallery SHCHUKIN continues to support and promote established gallery artists and introduce emerging talent.