Metaphorical Art: A painting exhibition by Nicholas Zalevsky

Nicholas Zalevsky was born in Kiev, Ukraine when the country was still a part of the Soviet Union. He studied graphic design at Publishing Institute in Lviv, Ukraine. However, his artistic views were greatly different from those that conformed to the state-approved Socialist Realism. The chances of becoming a “legitimate” painter enjoying exhibitions and sales, were slim. He joined an artistic underground movement. The exhibitions of nonconformist artists were taking place in private apartments, often they were under KGB surveillance. In 1991, Nicholas Zalevsky jumped at the opportunity to move to America. His last picture under the Soviets was made in 1989. Since coming to the U.S., Nicholas has created a number of paintings, although it takes him up to two to five years to complete each work.