Sergey Karev (1977-)
In spite of what later shall be revealed as a very troublesome childhood, Karev has always felt drawn to art and sculpture as a way of escapism. Karev’s family were all heavily involved in the metal industry in Russia and his father in particular was a skilled factory worker, who also had a liking for sketching and drawing. During his adolescence, his father encourage Karev to draw from life and express himself artistically, although as a youth he was not a part of any artistic institution, nor did he attend a governmentally-recognized art institution.
Regrettably, Karev’s father died a tragic death when Sergey was just fourteen years of age and his passing has had a fundamental influence upon his work. This is due to the fact that, following his father’s death and the reality of conscription in USSR at the time meant that Karev was drafted into the army, where he served as the army library and club painter. Karev continued to fulfill his painterly duties in the army, but as his talent grew, he realized that he needed to pursue his studies on an academic level. However, prior to attempting to be accepted, he needed some formal training, which led him to be enrolled in the studio of Atry Kogua. Intense training with Kogua ensured that Karev went on to gain a place at the prestigious Shtirlitz Academy of Art in St. Petersburg, from which he graduated in 2006. The type of skill he went on to perfect is metalwork and sculpture, as to the artist it allowed him to actualize his link back to his childhood and family. One of his main mentors at the institution was Sazhin, who is also represented by Erarta. Notwithstanding Karev’s late entrance into the art scene as well as his recent graduation, he has had extensive representation across the country as well as abroad. Selected Solo and Group Exhibition: 2011 Stability, Erarta Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia. 2011 5th exhibition of contemporary ceramics of the Baltic States, Kaunas, Lithuania. 2010 Fonts, Erarta Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia. 2009 Psihonavtika: north-south, Tolstoy Square, St. Petersburg, Russia. 2009 Youth subcultures. Marginal, and the current, City Sculpture Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia. 2008 Memory Field, Loft Project "Floors", St.Petersburg, Russia. 2007 The most-the most recent, Atelier Gallery № 2, SRC "Winery", Moscow, Russia. 2006 The first session of Young Art, State Museum of Urban Sculpture, St. Petersburg, Russia. 2006 Competitions of jewelry "JewelryOlympus", Central Exhibition Hall Manege, St. Petersburg, Russia. 2006 Reflection Time, an exhibition hall to them. N. Nuzhin, Yaroslavl, Russia. 2005 Competitions of jewelry "JewelryOlympus", Central Exhibition Hall Manege, St. Petersburg, Russia. 2005 International Biennial of jewelry «Fabergé2005", Lahti, Finland. Karev’s works can be found in Erarta’s Loft Project "Floors" as well as in private collections in Russia and Latvia.