A contemporary Kazakhstani artist, painter, and graphic artist. Key methods in A. Osipov’s work include detailing, mosaic composition, geometrisation, symbolism, and allegory. Key themes are faith, religion, myth, mysticism, and metaphysics.
A. Osipov graduated from the Almaty College of Decorative and Applied Arts named after Oral Tansykbayev (Department of Easel Painting and Industrial Graphics, 1976–1980) and the Kazakh National Academy of Arts named after Temirbek Zhurgenov (Department of Industrial Graphics, 1981–1986).
His paintings and graphic works are executed in a style the artist calls “metaphysical realism,” reminiscent of Pavel Filonov’s analytical art. This approach imbues his work with metaphorical depth: reflecting on religion and faith (“Trinity. Guests,” 1995; “Buddha’s Smile,” 2014), reinterpreting parables and myths (“The Abduction of Europa,” 2012; “Parable of the Fisherman,” 2010), and creating allegories of everyday life (“Allegory of Love and Wine,” 2012–2014; “From Childhood,” 2013). The analytical method allows A. Osipov to transcend the visible world and enter the space of the mystical (“Another Door,” 1996; “Invasion of the Square,” 1995; “Table in the Black Cave,” 2017).
A. Osipov’s works were exhibited in Kazakhstan and abroad: “Zhiger. XI Republican Exhibition of Young Artists” (Exhibition Hall of the Union of Artists of Kazakhstan, Almaty, 1982); “Alexander Osipov and Shamil Guliyev” (“Iskander” Gallery, Almaty, 1994); “Parade of Galleries” (Fine Arts and Technical Design School named after A. Kasteyev, Almaty, 1996); “Nomadic Myths: Works on Paper by Contemporary Artists of Kazakhstan” (District of Columbia Arts Center, Washington, 1997); exhibitions at the “MOST” Gallery (Almaty, 1997–1998); “Sari-Arka. Contemporary Art From the Kazakh Steppes” (Charles Sumner School Museum, Washington, 1998); 1st Annual Exhibition of the SCCA “Self-Identification: Futurological Forecasts” (“Moskva” Shop, Almaty, 1998); and the “Tengri-Umai” International Art Festival (Almaty, 2002).
Information about A. Osipov is stored in the Documentation project collection — the archive of the Soros Center for Contemporary Art – Almaty (SCCA).
Photograph provided by Alexander Osipov