Alexander Shenderov

Painter, graphic artist, theatrical designer, illustrator, teacher. Born in the family of Semyon Shenderov in Rostov-on-Don (1897). Studied the history of art at the Don Institute of Archaeology (1919–21). Moved to Petrograd (1921), where he studied at the VKhUTEIN (1922), Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin’s studio (at VKHUTEIN?) and under Mstislav Dobuzhinsky at Alexander Haush’s studio (1922). Member of Sorabis (1927–29). Taught at the Leningrad Technical College of Art and Handicraft (1923–26), Leningrad Polytechnic Institute of Art, Institute of Engineers of Industrial Construction (1930–33) and the Urals School of Art and Industry in Nizhny Tagil (1950–51). Painted a portrait of Misha Stepashkin (“Mai Gipsi”) called Actor of the Young Viewers’ Theatre with Beads (1924). Arrested (1934) and sent to work on the Moscow-Volga Canal (1934–35). Released (1936) and lived in Rostov-on-Don, Taganrog and Nizhny Tagil. Demobilised from the Red Army and returned to Rostov-on-Don (1944), where he found that the German occupation forces had expropriated and sent all his art work to Germany. Accused of Formalism and expelled from the Union of Artists (1948), reinstated (1954). Returned to Leningrad (1955), where he collaborated with the experimental graphic studio of the Leningrad branch of the Union of Artists. Died in Leningrad and buried at the Northern Cemetery in Pargolovo (1967). Contributed to exhibitions (from 1918).