MOSCOW, October 6 (Itar-Tass) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a telegram to the celebrated painter and portraitist Alexander Shilov congratulating on his 70th birthday.
The text of the telegram is posted on the Kremlin website.
“Your oeuvre is well-known inside Russia and far beyond its borders,” Putin said. “Your works presenting various genres of painting have been attracting art lovers’ devout attention and have become gems of expositions in a great number of museums and private collections.”
“This degree of recognition is a deserved reward for your inspired labour, artistic skills and loyalty to a chosen path,” the president said.
Putin also praised Shilov’s vast and multifaceted public activities as well as his active participation in enlightening, educational and charity projects.
Shilov is going to celebrate his birthday with the colleagues in his gallery in Moscow’s Znamenka Street.
Earlier, he said in the interview with Itar-Tass that he continued working in his studio in spite of days off or holidays.
“Painting is my love, my mission and I breathe it,” the artist said. “Work in the studio is a starting point of creativity and genuine art is impossible without it.”
Shilov is sure inspiration is the best reward for labour.
Alexander Shilov was born in Moscow. While studying in Moscow’s V.I. Surikov State Academic Art Institute since 1968, he put his works on display at young artists’ exhibitions. He graduated in 1973 and become a member of the USSR Union of Artists in 1976. Shilov opened his personal gallery in 1997.
The artist has exhibited in France, Germany, Portugal, Spain, the United States, Canada, Japan and other countries.