Denis Patrakeev (1987 – )

Although still very young, Patrakeev has already established himself in the contemporary Russian art scene. Interest in his work began while he was still studying at St. Petersburg's acclaimed Herzen University, a true testament to his painterly skill and a sophistication beyond his years.

In his painting practice Patrakeev aims to show the fragmentation of life and a struggle for establishment. In Playground I and Playground II from the 'Game Earth' series, he uses the image of a children's playground as a model of contemporary society, a rehearsal scene where self-identification first occurs, as does trauma. The playground becomes the space of all first revelations and experiences – an isolated society of its own. Simultaneously, the playground is a model of any social space: Fenced in, we perceive other spaces as fragments, clusters of social reality separate from our own.

Patrakeev was born in St. Petersburg and studied at the Fine Art School Herzen, graduating in 2009. He is a member of the National Union of Artists in Russia. Patrakeev continues to live and work in St. Petersburg.

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS:

2011 The Land of Games. NCCA Gallery, St-Petersburg, Russia.

2011 Gastro OZ. Door Gallery, St. Petersburg, Russia.

2010 Dazain. Door Gallery, St. Petersburg, Russia.

2008 Self-Titled. Bharat Residence of Contemporary Art TRIADA (graphics) Russia.

2007 Self-Titled. Pushkinskaya 10, St. Petersbourg, Russia.

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS:

2011 Autumn Exacerbation. Central Exhibition Hall Manege, St. Petersbourg, Russia.

2011 Stability. Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art, St. Petersburg, Russia.

2010 21 Grams. Art Hall Poligraf, St. Petersburg, Russia.

2010 Manipulation. Gallery Kuhnya, St. Petersburg, Russia.

2010 Black Gold. Gallery Kuhnya, St. Petersburg, Russia.

2009 Childhood through our eyes. Markov Gallery, St. Petersburg, Russia.

2009 Bridge ∞, Project with Abhai Kumar. Markov Gallery, St. Petersburg, Russia.

2008 Male and Female legs in 21st century Art. Château de Reo Gallery, France.

2007 From Avant-garde to Present Day. The Gallery of the Union of Artists, Moscow, Russia.

2006 New Names. Museum of Nonconformist Art Pushkina, St. Petersburg, Russia.

Patrakeev's work can be found in private collections in Russia, France, Norway, India, Japan and America.