"I want to push
the boundaries"
the boundaries"
Nikolay Cherednichenko was born on December 15th, 1958, in Nahodka (Far East). He graduated from an electromechanical technology college and served in the military for two years. Afterwards, he worked in various roles such as a loader, constructor, radio operator, sound director in a theater, woodman, and eventually became an entrepreneur. Since 1989, he has been captivated by wooden sculpting.
Oil painting entered Nikolay's life when he was 32 years old, and he suddenly felt an "art fever." One early morning on Orthodox Christmas, he completed his first work, painted with honey watercolor on a piece of plywood.
Not long after, Nikolay and his wife Natalia were walking through a vernissage when Natalia noticed a painting with lilacs. Nikolay promised to buy the artwork on their way back, but it had already been sold. It was at that moment that Nikolay made a resolution: "I will paint so many of these lilacs, you will go mad!"
From that point on, Cherednichenko never parted with canvas, oil paints, and a spatula. His creative drive was so strong that he had to leave his profitable business and spend entire days and nights standing in front of the easel. Often, his work was so engrossing that Nikolay could go without food for two days, sustaining himself only with coffee and a pipe. This became his way of life for many years.
Oil painting entered Nikolay's life when he was 32 years old, and he suddenly felt an "art fever." One early morning on Orthodox Christmas, he completed his first work, painted with honey watercolor on a piece of plywood.
Not long after, Nikolay and his wife Natalia were walking through a vernissage when Natalia noticed a painting with lilacs. Nikolay promised to buy the artwork on their way back, but it had already been sold. It was at that moment that Nikolay made a resolution: "I will paint so many of these lilacs, you will go mad!"
From that point on, Cherednichenko never parted with canvas, oil paints, and a spatula. His creative drive was so strong that he had to leave his profitable business and spend entire days and nights standing in front of the easel. Often, his work was so engrossing that Nikolay could go without food for two days, sustaining himself only with coffee and a pipe. This became his way of life for many years.
Nikolay Cherednichenko in the workshop, 1993
From personal archive of the artist
First work of the artist
«Untitled», plywood/ PWAC/ honey water color, 480х440 cm, 1991, Moscow
«Untitled», plywood/ PWAC/ honey water color, 480х440 cm, 1991, Moscow
During the early years of his career, Nikolay Cherednichenko delved into the study of "human body bioenergy," as he referred to it. His supernatural journeys and experiences, such as "visions," "abstractions," and "fantastic worlds," laid the foundation for his work to this day.
"Scheherazade tales", oil on canvas, 900х800 cm, 1997, Moscow
«Vision I», oil on canvas, 1500х1200 cm, 1994, Moscow
In his initial period, Cherednichenko focused more on narrative and "romantic" paintings, capturing moments of his life with his wife. However, he found abstraction to be truly captivating. Narratives gave way to impressions, impressions gave way to forms and colors. During this time, the artist drew inspiration from his artistic "teachers" such as Leonardo da Vinci, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Felix Vallotton, and Salvador Dali, as well as from Christian theologians like Dionysius the Areopagite, Thomas Aquinas, and Augustine.
The turning point in Nikolay's art came with his exhibitions in Australia (1995) and Switzerland (1997). While visiting Aboriginal art museums in Perth, Sydney, and Melbourne, Cherednichenko was astounded by the powerful and exquisite use of colors. He also had the opportunity to witness the works of Picasso, Matisse, and Vallotton at the national museum in Basel. These journeys had a profound impact on him, leading him further into conceptualism, with echoes of his "aboriginal experiences" becoming apparent.
The artist admits that he rarely creates a preconceived idea for a painting; everything unfolds in the moment of creation. Abstraction grants him the freedom to experiment, improvise, and search for meanings both during the process and after its completion, often leaving him in awe of what he has created.
The turning point in Nikolay's art came with his exhibitions in Australia (1995) and Switzerland (1997). While visiting Aboriginal art museums in Perth, Sydney, and Melbourne, Cherednichenko was astounded by the powerful and exquisite use of colors. He also had the opportunity to witness the works of Picasso, Matisse, and Vallotton at the national museum in Basel. These journeys had a profound impact on him, leading him further into conceptualism, with echoes of his "aboriginal experiences" becoming apparent.
The artist admits that he rarely creates a preconceived idea for a painting; everything unfolds in the moment of creation. Abstraction grants him the freedom to experiment, improvise, and search for meanings both during the process and after its completion, often leaving him in awe of what he has created.
"Wow, what a thing was made by me!"
In the late 1990s, there was significant collector interest in Cherednichenko's expressionist paintings of cities, landscapes, and flowers, while his conceptual works remained somewhat overlooked. Nonetheless, Cherednichenko continued to explore and search for new artistic directions.
The early 2000s marked a period of confirmation with the Orthodox Church for the artist. He immersed himself in the study of the Bible and the works of the Holy Fathers, which greatly influenced his paintings, infused with Christian metaphors, symbols, and thoughts on evangelical events. Cherednichenko continued to work in a conceptual direction, all while maintaining a focus on his fantastic visions of cities and flowers. Throughout this period, his art reflected powerful vital dynamics, characterized by contrasting colors, sharp spontaneous strokes, and often contradictory combinations of hues. Cherednichenko sought harmony within chaos and irrationality.
The early 2000s marked a period of confirmation with the Orthodox Church for the artist. He immersed himself in the study of the Bible and the works of the Holy Fathers, which greatly influenced his paintings, infused with Christian metaphors, symbols, and thoughts on evangelical events. Cherednichenko continued to work in a conceptual direction, all while maintaining a focus on his fantastic visions of cities and flowers. Throughout this period, his art reflected powerful vital dynamics, characterized by contrasting colors, sharp spontaneous strokes, and often contradictory combinations of hues. Cherednichenko sought harmony within chaos and irrationality.
Crossroads", oil on canvas, 700х800 cm,
2017, Svyatovo
2017, Svyatovo
"Palette", oil on canvas, 700х700 cm,
2019, Svyatovo"
2019, Svyatovo"
"I’m always in a state of experimentation and unexpected discoveries"
In 2010, the artist and his wife relocated to the countryside in the Yaroslavl region, 180 km from Moscow.
Cherednichenko built his own workshop and became fully absorbed in his work, visiting Moscow only for necessary business meetings.
During this time, the artist began exploring space forms, introducing geometric, strict, and linear works. Nikolay referred to this period as his "square-cluster period." Despite his exploration of new forms, he still created landscapes and flowers, often revisiting traditional genres and subjects, rethinking them and searching for the unnoticed.
Cherednichenko built his own workshop and became fully absorbed in his work, visiting Moscow only for necessary business meetings.
During this time, the artist began exploring space forms, introducing geometric, strict, and linear works. Nikolay referred to this period as his "square-cluster period." Despite his exploration of new forms, he still created landscapes and flowers, often revisiting traditional genres and subjects, rethinking them and searching for the unnoticed.
"The one who crosses the threshold and beholds these paintings will be transformed. Warning!
If you’re not ready for change, stay away!"
If you’re not ready for change, stay away!"
The year 2020 proved to be one of the most contradictory in the artist's life. It was a year of overcoming challenges and embarking on new quests and possibilities. Cherednichenko contracted COVID-19 in the spring and underwent quarantine for nearly two months until early June. During this time, he interpreted global events and the turbulence of our lives. He keenly felt the world plunging into routine and anxiety simultaneously.
Additionally, in 2020, Cherednichenko's middle daughter, Evgeniya Negrebetskaya, became his art manager. With her involvement, the artist reconnected with active social life. Since September 2020, the artist and his daughter have organized four solo exhibitions and participated in one art market.
His latest works are dedicated to the most precious gift each of us possesses—our life.
Additionally, in 2020, Cherednichenko's middle daughter, Evgeniya Negrebetskaya, became his art manager. With her involvement, the artist reconnected with active social life. Since September 2020, the artist and his daughter have organized four solo exhibitions and participated in one art market.
His latest works are dedicated to the most precious gift each of us possesses—our life.
’Stairs’, oil on canvas 900x800,
2020, Svyatovo
2020, Svyatovo
‘Turbulence’, oil on canvas, 900x1100,
2020, Svyatovo
2020, Svyatovo
"I want unsparingly make you switch
on your brains!"
on your brains!"
The premiere of the series of paintings by Nikolay Cherednichenko is dedicated to the mystical phenomenon "duende". "Duende is the national creative identity of Spain, something that dominated Lorca and Picasso when they created their best works. "Duende" is a passion and creation, a premonition of death and a break in the usual forms in the collection of new ones.
Nikolay Cherednichenko personal exposition on one of the biggest Russian art fairs was dedicated to artist unique feature: ability to feel joy without a reason. Such joy comes all at once, when one doesn't expect it and becomes the greatest reward to the author and spectator.
Each work is the separate reflection on the city environment: the vanity and inspiration, monotony and uncertainty, scepticism and magic, fear and delight. "Flowers", "Rhythm", "Applause of night", «Theatre» and other show something which fulfills the city and makes it alive.
Life is the biggest reward to the human!
During the crisis and uncertainty people often forget most important. Exhibition of Nikolay Cherednichenko's paintings aimed to awake the human, make him talk about the main thing, to expand horizons and inspire on actions. Artist invites to share the joy each moments of being.
During the crisis and uncertainty people often forget most important. Exhibition of Nikolay Cherednichenko's paintings aimed to awake the human, make him talk about the main thing, to expand horizons and inspire on actions. Artist invites to share the joy each moments of being.