Yury Mezhirov

Painter, graphic artist. Born in Leningrad (1933) in the family of Lieutenant Alexander Mezhirov (1902–1943), who was killed near Kremchug during the Second World War (1943). Studied at the Dulyovo Porcelain Factory in Moscow Region (1948–52), Tauride School of Art in Leningrad (1952–59), under Boris Ugarov and Victor Reichet at the Ilya Repin Institute of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture (1959–65) and at Victor Oreshnikov’s studio in Leningrad (1967–69). Member of the Union of Artists (1965). Painted portraits (1970s) and views of Leningrad/St Petersburg (1980s–90s). Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation (1999), People’s Artist of Russia (2007). Died in St Petersburg (2012). Contributed to exhibitions (from 1962), including Still-Life: Exhibition of Works by Leningrad Artists at the Union of Artists in Leningrad (1973), Our Contemporary: Zonal Exhibition of Works by Leningrad Artists at the Russian Museum and Union of Artists in Leningrad (1975), Exhibition of Works by Leningrad Artists Dedicated to the Sixtieth Anniversary of Great October at the Manège Central Exhibition Hall in Leningrad (1977), Zonal Exhibition of Works by Leningrad Artists at the Manège Central Exhibition Hall in Leningrad (1980), Times of Change: Art in the Soviet Union (1960–85) at the Russian Museum in St Petersburg (2006) and a one-man show at the Union of Artists in St Petersburg (2003–04).