Art lovers lined up Sunday at the world’s biggest museum of Russian art in Saint Petersburg, where US film star Sylvester Stallone unveiled a retrospective of his abstract paintings.
The Exhibition was simply titled “Sylvester Stallone. Art. 1975-2013”
The 67-year-old star of blockbusters such as “Rambo” and “Rocky” said that if he had a choice, he would spend his life drawing and sculpting instead of starring in action hits. “If my visit is a challenge for somebody, let it be so,” he said when asked what he thought of some furious comments, notably by some in the Communist party, who thought that exhibiting Stallone at the Russian Museum was a travesty.
Museum director Vladimir Gusev said Stallone’s paintings “show the character of a passionate man” and were not simply “the work of an amateur”. “…This is a real artist,” he told journalists. “The Russian museum does not show weak artists.” The exhibit attracted a crowd of about 1,000 intrigued people who stood in line on opening day to enter the museum in the centre of Russia’s second city.
Stallone, an Academy-award nominated actor as well as a director and screen-writer, had studied art before his film career took off, and has also had shows in Switzerland and Miami.
The Russian Museum is a revered institution established by Russia’s last tsar Nicolas II in 1895. The museum is heavily focused on Russian art so the decision to exhibit contemporary works by a Hollywood star has raised some eyebrows.
The curators have argued that Stallone’s 30-piece show is on display not in the museum’s main building, but at one of its branches, which boasts a modern art collection including works by Western artists like Andy Warhol.
Via : Art Daily
About The Russian Museum
The State Russian Museum is the largest depository of Russian fine art in St Petersburg. The museum was established on April 13, 1895, upon enthronement of Nicholas II to commemorate his father, Alexander III.
Art on the Sly: Hollywood action star Sylvester Stallone receives retrospective exhibition of his work at prestigious Russian Museum in St Petersburg : The Independent
