Russian-born artist Murat Kaboulov’s work has been lauded for its interpretative, abstract depictions of the natural world, garnering admiration from both his homeland as well as overseas in the Americas. Born on January 11, 1939 to parents Nina Sebetova and Geno Kaboulov, Murat spent the better part of his youth studying and exploring his passion for art in the city of Vladikavkaz, Russia. By the age of 14, Kaboulov managed to sell his very first painting, marking the dawn of a 60-year-long legacy which would continue well after his death in September 2010.
Although Kaboulov’s style of painting is rooted in classic Impressionism, with diffuse brushstrokes and subtle interplays of light and color, he lends each artwork its own unique story and perspective. For the artist, creating a piece of art is much more than simply echoing the form and feel of his subject. He delighted in picking up on the essence of the subject in question, and fashioning a painting out of his own distinct interpretation of it. In his own words, Kaboulov states, “When I am looking at a painting, I realize that it attracts me much more than a beautiful landscape outside. Why? Perhaps viewing a piece of art is similar to a dialogue with its creator, who must have felt and experienced a lot before he picked up a brush and dipped it in paint.”
Kaboulov completed his education in Russia, procuring an M.F.A degree from The Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg under the tutelage of Professor Evsey Moiseyenko. The Academy of Arts was one of the most prestigious art institutions in the world, and created the strong artistic foundation upon which Kaboulov would later hone his skills. His education was interrupted when he was drafted into the Russian army, but he famously moved a general who saw him painting a battle scene to send him back to St. Petersburg and complete his degree. Later, he would also become a member of the Union of Artists in Russia. Kaboulov’s work became a household name in his hometown, and his pieces have been featured in art museums and exhibitions across the nation.
When Kaboulov moved to Brentwood, Tennessee in 1992, he quickly carved a name for himself in his new hometown, and was joined by his wife Marina, who worked a job as a translator. He became a member of the Portrait Society of America as well as the Tennessee Art League. Kaboulov worked closely with galleries and art directors in Tennessee, including Elizabeth Cave who would later fondly recount his admirable work ethic and constant outpouring of creative ideas for new pieces. Indeed, Kaboulov’s versatility meant that there was little he couldn’t do- from picturesque landscapes to serene still-lifes, magnificent sculptures of bronze, terra-cotta and wood, abstract sketches and a stunning repertoire of portraits.
Kaboulov can only ever be described as an artistic visionary, who derived his inspiration solely from the world around him: “The images that I reflect in my art often come to me with the ephemeral streaks of sunset and with the tremulous shadows of night, but even more often they are born of the long and crowded days that line up, striving to linger in my memory. Nothing fascinates and inspires me more than human nature. Storms and the calm of the human soul are the preeminent subjects of my art.”.
