Sergei Firer
Sergei Ilyich Firer (born October 26, 1954) is a Russian born Canadian Abstract expressionist fine artist working primarily in Oil painting and Etching aquatint.
Life
Born in 1954 in Nizhny Novgorod (in the former USSR), Sergei Firer spent the majority of his childhood in his father's art studio learning a variety of techniques that were passed down through generations. Techniques that today are rare and Seldom used . Firer received his formal art training at the Gorky Art School and graduated with high honors. Subsequently, he worked at the Artistic Fund from 1977-1989. Afterwards, he exhibited his work at art galleries all around Russia and became a member of the USSR Union of Artists.
A series of adversities which Sergei Firer had to overcome then changed his outlook on life, which in turn was reflected in the style of his work. At a later stage the cast of Firer's paintings and etchings became more diversified, integrating Geometric abstraction into his work.
In 1990, he left Russia and taught the art of etching at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem. Along the way, he continued to expand and develop his own personal style, and created a wealth of new works. Again he moved on and, since 1994, he has been working at his studio in Ontario, Canada, broadening the showcasing of his art on an international scale. Sergei Firer regularly participates in art exhibitions around the world and his art is held in numerous private and public collections, including the Art Museum of Pushkin in Moscow and in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.
Influence
He is influenced by French Impressionists like: Monet, Renoir, and contemporary American artists such as Rauschenberg.
Etching
Sergei Firer has been cultivating his technique of all things Intaglio (printmaking) through study, application and teaching over a period ranging from 1978 onward. He continues to produce Etchings at his Printmaking studio in Keswick, Canada.
Sergei Firer has over the years developed numerous techniques Including:
- Etching
- Aquatint
- Sugarlift
- Drypoint
- Hard Grounds
- Etc.
Associations and Exhibitions
Sergei Firer has been a member of the Society of Canadian Artists for the past four years, participating in events and shows at the Society's central location in Toronto.
In 2009 Sergei Firer received the Antoinette Stevens Award for Best Painting in Show, from the Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum & Arts Centre in Toronto as part of their 41st Open Juried Exhibition.
Selected Exhibitions
- 2012 Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum & Arts Centre, Toronto
- 2010 The Print Show, Juried Print Exhibition, John B,Aird Gallery, Toronto
- 2009 Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum & Arts Centre, Toronto
- 2009 The Print Show, Juried Print Exhibition, John B,Aird Gallery, Toronto
- 2008 “2008 Annual “York Region Juried Exhibition”, Varley Art Gallery
- 2007 “Canadian Artist Without Borders”, Varley Art Gallery
- 2007 “Celebration of the Arts”, Uxbridge Studio Tour
- 2007 “Krasota”, Magic Door Gallery, Sunderland
- 2005 Juried Art Show Uxbridge
- 2004 “Krasota”, Magic Door Gallery, Sunderland
- 2001 “Red” A Collective of One Colour, the Veni Vidi Gallery, Port Perry
- 1995–present Artexpo International, New York,
- 2000- 2006 Artexpo l, Atlanta
- 1996-2001 Tendence Lifestyle, Frankfurt, Germany
- 1995-1999 Art Multiple, Dusseldorf, Germany
- 1979-1990 Participated in many Countrywide (Former USSR) Exhibitions.
Solo Exhibitions
- 2009 “Art Territory”, Los Angeles.
- 2003-2004, “Addison” Art Show, Toronto
- 2003, “Parts Gallery”, Toronto
- 2003, “Opus”Art Gallery, Cleveland, OH
- 1999, 2002 - “Arta” Gallery, Verona, Italy
- 2002, “Klim Art Gallery”, Toronto
- 1991, “Benet” Gallery, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- 1989, “Panorama” Art Gallery, Moscow, Russia
Collections & Museums
- Art Museum, Jerusalem, Israel
- Claridge Inc., Israel
- Art Academy of Soviet Union, Moscow, Russia
- Art Museum of Pushkin, Moscow, Russia
- Art Museum, Gorky, Russia
- Foundation of the Union of Soviet Artists, Moscow, Russia
- Private collections in France, Italy, Germany, Greece, Israel, Poland, Russia, United Kingdom, Canada and USA