Igor Shulman is a well-known artist famous for his expressive oil paintings. From a young age, he has been deeply passionate about art and has spent many years perfecting his skills. He has developed a distinctive style that mixes realism with impressionism. His paintings often focus on the true nature of his subjects, whether they are peaceful landscapes, personal portraits, or lively scenes from daily life.

Igor’s work is known for its bright colors, fine details, and the way it connects with viewers emotionally and tells a story. He frequently paints nature, animals, and human experiences, with a special focus on horses, highlighting their beauty and elegance. Through his art, Igor wants to create a strong emotional connection with people and offer them a new perspective on the world.

Apart from his own creations, Igor is also recognized for his commissioned artworks, where he works closely with clients to realize their ideas. His commitment to his art and his skill in capturing the essence of his subjects have gained him a dedicated fan base and praise from critics.

Igor continues to produce and showcase his work worldwide, inspiring art lovers and collectors everywhere. His art reflects his lifelong love for painting and his desire to share his vision with others.

Latest exhibitions:

New Saints, Nov 2024

Igor Shulman’s "New Saints" exhibition, held as part of the Kulturus festival in Prague, is a profound exploration of humanity’s relationship with animals, particularly those we domesticate and consume. The exhibition, curated by Anton Litvin, presents a series of artworks that blend the aesthetics of iconography with contemporary themes, challenging viewers to reconsider their perceptions of animals and the ethical implications of their treatment.

Key Themes of New Saints Exhibition:

— Martyrdom and Innocence: Shulman portrays animals as "New Saints" or "holy martyrs," emphasizing their innocence and the suffering they endure at the hands of humans. This perspective is a poignant commentary on the moral paradox of venerating certain lives while disregarding others.

— Humanism and Ethics: The exhibition delves into the concept of humanism, questioning how a worldview centered on human interests has led to the exploitation and commodification of animals. Shulman highlights the ethical dilemmas surrounding our treatment of animals, particularly in the context of industrialized agriculture.

— Emotional Connection: Through his art, Shulman seeks to evoke empathy and compassion, encouraging viewers to see animals as sentient beings deserving of respect and dignity. The use of iconographic styles and the depiction of animals with "sad and trusting" eyes aim to forge a deeper emotional connection between the viewer and the subjects.

— Interactive and Collaborative Art: The exhibition also featured a collaborative painting session where attendees, including children and dogs, contributed to a collective artwork. This interactive element underscores the theme of unity and shared responsibility in addressing the ethical issues raised by the exhibition.

We are responsible for those we have tamed. You know who.

When I started creating this exhibition, I had no idea how much information I would have to process.

I delved deep into the history of iconography and realized that this is not my method.

Then I dived into statistics and got stressed out.

I touched upon our loved ones, our friends, our pets. I have lived on this earth for a long time and I am not naive enough to think that pets were created solely for the joy of companionship. No, we (humans) simply eat them.

I am not calling anyone to anything with this exhibition. This exhibition is not about what anyone should eat. This exhibition is about mercy.
I am aggressively trying to draw your attention to this issue. This is my manifesto.

Why did I name my exhibition this way? For me, all these animals are holy for one simple reason.
They have not harmed anyone.

And therefore they have only done good. Isn’t that enough? How many people do you know who meet these criteria?
Moreover, I would call them holy martyrs considering their life circumstances.

I am not interested in the offended feelings of believers and non-believers. The least I thought about was in what form these paintings were made.
The fact that they sometimes resemble icons does not make them so.

You will find on these paintings not only horrifying statistics but also learn what animals think of you. You may even be able to read their monologues in their native language if you can, of course.

This exhibition is not about religion or faith. This exhibition is about humanism.

Respectfully, Igor Shulman

The exhibition sparked diverse reactions, with some viewers finding it a powerful critique of human behavior, while others appreciated its humanistic message. The juxtaposition of religious imagery with secular themes prompted discussions about the nature of sacrifice, suffering, and the moral obligations humans have towards animals.

"New Saints" is a thought-provoking exhibition that challenges conventional attitudes towards animals, urging viewers to reflect on their own beliefs and actions. Through his art, Igor Shulman invites us to reconsider the value we place on different forms of life and the impact of our choices on the world around us.

Exhibitions in 2024

• Invasion, solo exhibition, gallery “Satija gallery”, Sazka 2, Prague, Czechia (25.01 — 28.01.2024)

Exhibitions in 2020

• Art Prague fair with KULTURUS Galerie (9.11 — 15.11.2020)

Exhibitions in 2018

• Solo ex. “Slovonovo” world forum russian culture. Budva, Monte Negro

Exhibitions in 2017

• “My World”, solo exhibition, gallery “Klemens”, Sazka 2, Prague, Czechia
• “New Pop”, gallery “Solidet”, Francuzska 21, Prague, Czechia
• Berliner liste, artfair, with gallery “Gaudi”, Madrid, Spain.