Biography
Iouri Pestov was born in 1960 in Leningrad. In 1977 finished school #190 at The Mukhina Industrial Arts Institute. Participated in collective exhibitions, then became interested in the theater. Made self-education. In early 1980-s prepared the stage design for the dance "Captains of the Sands" choreographed by Leonid Lebedev in The Leningrad Small Theater of Opera and Ballet. Made interior design projects. In 1995 attended courses on intaglio, serigraphy, lithography in La Scuola Internazionale di Grafica di Venezia in Italy. Participated in various exhibitions (e.g. The Russian Cultural Center in Paris). Then traveled and worked in printmaking in universities, cultural centers and with individual artists in Finland, Spain, Colombia, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Costa Rica, where also made a public sculpture in Tamarindo. From 20.03.99 to 12.04.99 held a solo exhibition in The Jordanian Association of Plastic Artists in Amman, Jordan : "Al-Ferdous, The Rose Garden" summarizing his impressions from traveling and printmaking in The Middle East. In CSW Cyber Art & Poetry Spring/Summer Show 2000 based in USA received Honorable Mention and The Artist Magazine Award. On July 30 2000 participated in the international art project "Emplacements" in St.Petersburg, Russia with his performance "From Holland to New Holland". On February 27 2001 participated in International Festival for Unusual Live-Performances "Exit" in Helsinki with his performance "Under the Straight Line". On August 8-31 had a solo exhibition of photographic works at The Youth Center of Northern countries in St.Petersburg, Russia. On August 13-18 participated in a creative portraiture workshop at and with a grant from Anderson Ranch Art Center in USA. On November 30, 2001 his photowork is published in the anthology "Sketches Of The Eye" by The International Library of Photography in USA. On December 2 participated in "Vexations" choreographed by Kerstin Kussmaul in ODC Dance Theater in San Francisco with his photo images of the performance in making. His works on paper were exhibited in San Francisco at Horseshoe cafe from November 2001 through February 2002, at Backstage Salon January 10-March 14 and at Build on March 9-10. His sculpture "Fly Like an Eagle" was exhibited at Christensenheller Gallery in Oakland, California from January 5 till March 3. Digital art (reactions to Sept.11 events) at Exit Art gallery, New York was on view January 26-March 30. Collagraphs were exhibited at The Build Gallery in San Francisco on March 9-10. On April 20 took part in "Art with a Heart", Ritter House Juried Auction in San Rafael, California. Jurors: Chester Arnold, Joanne Chappell, Robin Critelli, Charles H. Curley, Tyson Underwood. On May 30-July 28 2002 participated in "The Flag Project" at Culpepper Gallery, Abrons Arts Center, 466 Grand St. NY NY. On June 29-July 25 participated in the juried exhibition "The TV Show" with his collagraphs, TV installations and the performance "The Heroman".
