Biography

Ernst losifovich Neizvestny is a Russian-American sculptor, painter, graphic artist, and art philosopher. He emigrated to the US in 1976 and lives and works in NYC. His last name is Russian literally means "unknown." Alexander Calder, the great American artist, once said to Neizvestny, "All my life I create the world of children, and you create the world of man." In 1996, Neizvestny completed his Mask of Sorrow, a 15-meter tall monument to the victims of Soviet purges, situated in Magadan. The same year, he was awarded the State Prize of the Russian Federation. Although he still lives in NYC and works at Columbia University, Neizvestny frequently visits Moscow and celebrated his 80th birthday there. A museum dedicated to his sculptures was established in Uttersberg, Sweden. Some of his crucifixion statues were acquired by John Paul II for the Vatican Museums. In 2004 Neizvestny became an honorary member of the Russian Academy of Arts.