Serge Poliakoff

In the aftermath of the war, Serge Poliakoff exclusively embraced pure abstraction, employing bold, contrasting colors and abstract forms. The artist's postwar oil paintings showcased a loaded brushwork that emanated a refreshing, intimate, and personally imbued touch, celebrating the immediacy of pure, vibrant pigments.

Presently, his creations grace the collections of prestigious institutions such as The Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Tate Gallery in London, the Malmö Konsthall in Sweden, and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, D.C., among other esteemed venues.

Biography of Serge Poliakoff

Serge Poliakoff, a modernist painter born in Russia and later a French citizen, was affiliated with the 'New' École de Paris, specifically within the Tachisme movement.

Born in Moscow, Russia, in 1900, Serge Poliakoff initially studied at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture but left Russia in 1918, eventually arriving in Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey) in 1920. Sustaining himself with earnings from his musical talent as a guitarist, he traveled through Sofia, Belgrade, Vienna, and Berlin before settling in Paris. Throughout his journey, he performed in Russian cabarets, playing folk songs.

In 1929, Poliakoff enrolled at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière and later at the Académie Frochot in Montmartre. During this time, he played an active role in the artistic scene of Paris. In 1935, he met Marcelle Perreur Lloyd, a half-Irish Frenchwoman, and they moved to London. In London, Poliakoff furthered his artistic education at the Grosvenor School of Art and later at the Slade School of Art. His exposure to the abstract art and vibrant colors of Egyptian sarcophagi during his stay in London from 1935 to 1937 significantly influenced his artistic perspective.

Returning to Paris in 1937, Poliakoff held his first solo exhibition. Around this time, he encountered influential figures like Wassily Kandinsky, Sonia and Robert Delaunay, and Otto Freundlich. In 1942, he transitioned to creating abstract paintings, marking a pivotal moment in his artistic evolution.

Poliakoff achieved a milestone in 1945 with his first one-man exhibition in Paris. In 1947, he received training from Jean Deyrolle in Gordes, located in the Vaucluse region of France. Throughout the early 1950s, he resided near Saint-Germain-des-Prés at the Old Dovecote Hotel, sustaining himself by continuing to play the balalaika.

The Venice Biennial dedicated a room to his paintings in 1962, and the same year, Poliakoff became a French citizen, solidifying his connection to the country where he had developed as an artist.

Serge Poliakoff passed away on October 12, 1969, in Paris, leaving behind a rich legacy in the world of abstract art. His contributions to the development of abstract painting continue to be recognized, and his works are admired for their timeless beauty and the emotional depth conveyed through the language of color and form.