back

1894 - 1968

Vasyl Yermylov

description

A Ukrainian avant-garde artist, painter and designer, an active and prominent participant in various latest art movements and groups of the 1910-1920s of the 20th century. He is often referred to as “Ukrainian Picasso” in art history. He was the author and designer of such innovative projects at that time as book and propaganda vans, prefabricated kiosks and advertising stands. He worked productively in industrial graphics, developing design for packaging, factory and brand names and so on. Being engaged in the processing of fonts, he created new original styles. He wrote many easel paintings in the genres of landscape and portrait, and also painted covers for avant-garde magazines and books. Yermylov can be called an associate member of the activities of El Lissitzky and Alexander Rodchenko; he was a friend of Vladimir Mayakovsky, Velemir Khlebnikov and Vasily Kamensky.

The post-revolutionary development of art in Kharkov is often called the “Yermylov period” – he is deservedly considered the leader of the Ukrainian Constructivist school and a key figure in the country’s avant-garde. The master’s works are, in addition to Ukrainian and Russian major museums of modern art, in galleries and museums in the USA, Germany, France, and are in demand at international auctions. In Kharkov, in 2012, the first center of contemporary art was opened, named “Yermylov Center” after the innovative artist.

+ Read more

1894

1905

1909

1912

1914

1918

1919

1922

1925

1928

1934

1939

1962

1968

The artist was born

The artist was born into a tailor’s family; both of his parents were peasants in the past.

He studied at the Art and Craft Workshop of Decorative Painting

Having finished the parish school, he studied at the Art and Craft Workshop of Decorative Painting of the Kharkiv Literacy Society in the class of L. I. Trakal. He graduated from it with the title “Apprentice of Decorative Painting” with the right to receive the title of the master after three years, if he represented a report on his decorative paintings to the Council.

He studied at the Kharkiv Art School and Studio

He worked a lot, painting for wealthy people; at the same time, he studied at the Kharkiv Art School and Studio of A.N. Grot and E.A. Steinberg. He became interested in the technique of fresco painting and mosaic; in 1911, he became a member of the art association “Blue Lily”.

He entered the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture

He entered the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture; his fellow students were D. Burliuk and V. Mayakovsky. He worked at the workshops of I. Mashkov and P. Konchalovsky. At the same time, he took lessons from famous etcher G.N. Gamon-Gaman, visited the cabinet of engravings of the Rumyantsev Museum.

Returned to Kharkiv

Returned to Kharkiv, received a diploma of the master of decorative painting at the Kharkiv art school. He earned a living with alfrey works, again visited the studio of E. Steinberg; became a member of the art group “Budyak”. The following year he was drafted to the front of the First World War: he was wounded and shell-shocked, received the St. George Cross of the 4th degree.

“Seven plus Three”

As part of “Troika” with A. Gladkov and Mane-Katz, he participated in the publication of the album “Seven plus Three”, where “seven” was a group of Kharkiv Cubo-futurist artists “Union of Seven”; designed magazine “Spikes”.

He became one of the organizers of the Training and Production Workshop in Kharkov

He became one of the organizers of the Training and Production Workshop in Kharkov; participated in the First joint exhibition-sale; collaborated with the magazine “The Ways of Creativity”; headed the propaganda department of UkrROST, as well as the painting workshop of the Plant of the art industry; created a cover for the book “Ladomir” by V. Khlebnikov (it was published in Kharkiv in 1920).

He was one of the founders of the Kharkiv Art and Industry Institute

He was one of the founders of the Kharkiv Art and Industry Institute, where he worked as a teacher until 1935, and then in 1963-1967; he received the Gold Medal at the Leipzig Exhibition for the mark “To help hungry people”.

He joined the Association of Revolutionary Art of Ukraine

He joined the Association of Revolutionary Art of Ukraine (was its member till 1932), actively participated in the All-Ukrainian Anniversary Exhibition of 1927, creating a tribune advertising and decorating halls.

He participated in the International Exhibition in Germany

Together with El Lissitzky, Alexander Tyshler and Vadym Meller, he participated in the International Exhibition in Germany (Cologne), where he worked on the design of the Ukrainian branch. He was appointed the art director of the “Avangard” magazine, designed books, illustrated magazines, and took up interior design.

He designed interiors of the Kharkiv Palace of Pioneers building

Together with Meller, he designed interiors of the Kharkiv Palace of Pioneers building, which was grandiose at that time. Collaborated with A. Petritsky in creating the design of the Pavilion of Ukraine at All-Union exhibitions.

Became a member of the Kharkiv branch of the Union of Artists of Ukraine

Became a member of the Kharkiv branch of the Union of Artists of Ukraine (was expelled for “cosmopolitanism” and formalism in 1949); actively participated in the design of the Theater Museum; in the following years, he was engaged in teaching activities.

The first exhibition of the artist

After the artist restored his membership in the Union of Artists (1960), the first exhibition of the artist was held in Kharkiv. He was invited to a professorship at the Kharkiv Art and Industry Institute.