"...an artist who was a staunch believer in the experimentalism and ideals of modernism, as well as a master of both the geometric and the biomorphic strains of abstraction." - Donald Kuspit, ArtForum, 2019
Ilya Bolotowsky (1907-1981) was a leading abstract painter born in St. Petersburg, Russia. He immigrated to New York in 1923 and became a U.S. citizen in 1929. Bolotowsky studied at the National Academy of Design and exhibited his first solo show in 1930. He was influenced by Cubism, Geometric Abstraction, and Piet Mondrian.
In 1936, Bolotowsky co-founded the American Abstract Artists, advocating for non-objective art based on pure form and color. His works featured a striking blend of biomorphic and geometric elements inspired by artists like Miró and Malevich.
Bolotowsky's artistic journey gained recognition, and his works are now housed in major museums such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; The Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; and The Art Institute of Chicago.
Throughout his career, Bolotowsky explored the concept of universal balance and emphasized emotional connections through abstract expressionism. He shared his knowledge as a teacher at various institutions and achieved acclaim through retrospectives, including a solo show at the Guggenheim Museum in 1974.
Ilya Bolotowsky's significant contributions to American abstract art continue to inspire and captivate audiences. He passed away in New York in 1981, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the world of abstract expressionism.