Borisov Leonid

Soviet and Russian abstract artist, constructivist. One of the leading artists of the Leningrad underground.

L. Borisov was born on June 29, 1943, in Leningrad. His acquaintance with abstract art began with a visit to the American exhibition in Sokolniki in 1959. In 1968, the future artist graduated from the Leningrad Electrotechnical Institute of Communications named after M. A. Bonch-Bruevich.

In 1971, Borisov meets with Russian non-conformists: Alexander Leonov, Dmitry Plavinsky, Sergey Bordachev, Vyacheslav Kalinin, and a few years later, in 1975, debuts at the legendary non-conformist exhibition at the DK "Nevsky" House of Culture. In 1976, he takes part in the artistic action of Leningrad non-conformists in memory of Yevgeny Rukhin near the walls of the Peter and Paul Fortress.

In the same year, he becomes one of the organizers of the first post-war exhibition of non-objective art "Painting. Graphics. Object" at the Leningrad House of Culture named after Ordzhonikidze, where, in addition to Borisov's works, the works of Yevgeny Mikhnov-Voytenko, Yuri Dyshlenko and other classics of the Soviet avant-garde were presented.

L. Borisov's first solo exhibition took place at the DK named after N. K. Krupskaya in 1978, and since then he has actively participated in exhibition projects both in Russia and abroad. As early as 1978, the artist's works were exhibited at the "New Art from the Soviet Union" exhibition from the Norton Dodge collection in the USA.

In 1987 — becomes a member of TEII (Association of Experimental Fine Arts, Leningrad). In 1988 participates in the first official exhibition of geometric abstraction "Geometry in Art". Since 1991 — member of the Association of Russian Artists in Paris.

In 1991, the State Tretyakov Gallery acquired two works by Borisov for its collection, and a few years later, in 1994, the State Russian Museum purchased three works by the artist for its collection. In 1995, the first solo exhibition of L. Borisov "Geometry" took place at the State Russian Museum.

In 2004, the artist participated in the "Porcelain Academy" project of the Lomonosov Porcelain Factory, upon completion of which the State Hermitage included L. Borisov's authorial porcelain in its collection. In 2005, the artist's work was presented in the permanent exhibition "20th Century Art" at the State Tretyakov Gallery.

In 2013, Leonid Borisov suddenly died while leaving his workshop, located at the Art Center "Pushkinskaya, 10" in St. Petersburg.