Chuikov, Evgeni

1924 - 2000

Evgeni Chuikov was born in the village of Nizhni Ryaut near Kursk, Russia in 1924.  Although his formal art education was limited, Chuikov was an important member of the Union of Artists of Ukraine and served as Chairman of the Union of Zaporozhe Artists for 15 years. 

Known primarily for his vivid landscapes, Chuikov studied extensively under fellow Zaporozhe artist Georgi Kolosovski (1913-1985), a noted landscape painter who began private teaching shortly after World War II.  Kolosovski’s influence on Chuikov’s works may be seen in both his fresh and bright palette and his expressive, confident brushstrokes.  Both impressionists acknowledged being significantly influenced by the famed French Impressionists.  Chuikov further acknowledged being influenced by Scottish colorists and American landscape painters.  All these factors contributed to the beautiful and joyous landscapes consistently painted by Chuikov.  The talented artist painted with many of Ukraine’s most noted artists, including Kolosovski and Yuri Simonov.

Chuikov was highly respected in Ukraine/Russia throughout his career.  In 1995, he was awarded the title of People’s Artist, the highest accolade for artists in Ukraine and Russia.  More recently, Ukraine renamed the Annual State Prize for Painting of the Zaporozhie Region the Evgeni Chuikov Prize.

Evgeni Chuikov, a decorated hero of World War II, died at his home in Zaporozhe in March, 2000.  He is listed in Matthew Bown’s A Dictionary of Twentieth Century Russian and Soviet Painters, 1900 – 1980’s

EVGENI CHUIKOV: Museums That Hold His Works

• National State Art Museum, Kiev, Ukraine
• Donetsk State Art Museum, Donetsk, Ukraine
• Dnepropetrovsk State Art Museum, Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine
• Nikolaev State Art Museum, Nikolaev, Ukraine
• Vinitsa State Art Museum, Vinitsa, Ukraine
• Zaporozhie State Art Museum, Zaporozhie, Ukraine
• Sumy State Art Museum, Sumy, Ukraine
• Tula State Art Museum, Tula, Russia
• Turin Art Museum, Turin, Italy 

EVGENI CHUIKOV: Major International Exhibitions 

• 1968     Mixed exhibition of Soviet artists, Paris,  France
• 1972   Mixed exhibition of Soviet artists, Cyprus
• Art from the USSR, Helsinki, Finland
• 1973   Mixed exhibition of Soviet artists, Wroclaw, Poland
• 1978   Mixed exhibition of Soviet artists, West Berlin, Ger.
• Exhibition of Soviet Art, Montreal, Canada
• 1979   Mixed exhibition of Soviet artists, Croatia, Yugoslavia
• 1983   Soviet Art Exhibition, Montreal, Canada

Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, Chuikov’s works were featured in 12 exhibitions in the United Kingdom, two in Paris, and one in Los Angeles.