Zurab K. Tsereteli, the Georgian-Russian sculptor renowned for his vast and often divisive monuments, passed away at his residence near Moscow on Tuesday at the age of 91.
His assistant confirmed the news of his death. The Russian president expressed condolences to Tsereteli’s family, describing him as a distinguished figure embodying the multicultural spirit of Russian art.
A supporter of the Russian leader, Tsereteli created a massive bronze statue of him in 2004, depicting the president clad in a judo uniform. However, the statue received such a lukewarm reception that it remained in Tsereteli’s gallery rather than being publicly displayed.
Tsereteli’s vibrant and bold artistic style came to symbolize post-Soviet Russian visual culture. His flamboyant approach enabled him to navigate political landscapes successfully, securing the role of an unofficial Kremlin artist during the 1990s, while also collaborating with his native Georgia’s government as it sought to assert its independence from Russia.
In Georgia, Tsereteli faced criticism for his decision to remain in Russia, yet he contributed significantly to the nation’s post-Soviet identity by creating the Freedom Monument in Tbilisi. This statue replaced a statue of Vladimir Lenin in the central square following the USSR’s dissolution.
