Greetings, I’m Igor Shestopalov. I was born in 1979 in the Odesa region, Ukraine. From early childhood people around me have notісed my ability in fine arts; at the age of 12, the director of the experimental school in my town – N. P. Guzik created an individual training program focused on the development of artistic potential, accompanied by exhibitions and participation in competitions and auctions.
In 1995, I entered Grekov Odesa Art School at the Faculty of Sculpture, where I was happy to be an apprentice of such great teachers as Vitaly Alikberov and Vladimir Traskov. I received a diploma with honors as a performing sculptor there. My graduate work – “Angel” is currently exhibited in the museum of the Grekov Art School.
In 2000, I passed the National Academy of Visual Arts and Architecture exams. The same year, I took first place in the drawing competition for academy students. Also that year my drawings were included in the methodological fund of the Academy, some of which are also included in the Academy’s catalog of student works. In 2003, I represented my Academy at the second All-Ukrainian drawing competition in Kharkiv, where I achieved first place in the best artistic performance category. In 2005, I participated in the sculpture symposium “Origins” in Kyiv
In April 2006, an exhibition featuring my drawings took place at the National Academy of Visual Arts and Architecture. In May of the same year, I participated in the republican exhibition of young artists of the Artists Union of Ukraine.
In 2006, I graduated from the Academy with a Master’s degree. My graduation work is titled “Mass” and was performed in marble and acquired excellent appraise.
In 2007, I participated in the “Alley of Muses” project in Kyiv as part of the Obolon embankment improvement urbant project. I created a sculpture named “The Muse of Poetry” and received an official gratitude for my significant personal contribution to the creation of cultural heritage, and achieving high excellence in my professional activities. In 2007, I started painting.
From 2008 to 2011 I taught drawing, sculpture, and anatomy at the Odesa Theater and Art School. During this period, I created the paintings: “Margarita”, “Rhea” and “Girl with a Violin” and then started my monumental work – “By the Will of the Gods”. It was done in 2018.
In 2011, I taught at the Odesa State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture and since 2012, I designed and begun construction of the architectural object called “Artist’s Meeting House” in the Odesa suburbs, while continuing painting, sculpturing, and drawing. Almost all of my works are now in private collections in Ukraine, the USA, Thailand, and in government facilities in Ukraine and China.
Ihor Shestopalov
Artist
