bio & work concept

Biography

Vladimir Walter Bachinsky was born in Kiev, Ukraine. As a child he fled with his family to Germany from Russian invasion of Ukraine before the formation of the USSR. During this time, he witnessed the atrocities of war including bombings, hangings and an ever present need for gas mask protection, forming a lasting impression and influencing his life long surrealistic work. After a couple years in Germany and waiting in an asylum-seeking US camp, Bachinsky with his family, immigrated to the East Village in New York City. It was there in NYC, that Vladimir met his wife, Ukrainian artist, Olenka Bohachevsky. After film making together in Canada, the couple moved to their current residence outside of Woodstock, New York.

Bachinsky’s prolific career spans over half a century in a number of mediums: drawing, painting, reliefs, sculpture, film making and illustration. He was an illustrator for NBC in the 1970’s and spent decades as an iconographer, painting multiple churches in Canada, USA and Italy, in their entirety, including iconostases, domes and all murals within.

Bachinsky’s art has been displayed internationally in both group and solo shows including: The National Academy and The Art & Literary Club in New York City, the Giotto Gallery in Rome, Italy, The Newark Museum in New Jersey, The Toronto Art Gallery, Jackson Gallery in Taos, New Mexico and Liloveve Gallery in Brooklyn, NY & The Ukrainian Museum in Manhattan, NY.

He graduated from Pratt Institute, studied at the National Academy of Design, as well as The Accademia di Belle Arti in Rome, Italy.

Bachinsky was the recipient of the following merit based awards: The United Artists Scholarship, The National Academy Scholarship, The Dr. Ralph Weiler Scholarship and The Salmagundi Club Award.

Surrealist Concept

Vladimir’s surrealist work is an amalgam of classical technique and modern inner exploration. His work frees the viewer from naturalistic Earthly perceptions. Dream like, ethereal landscapes are described by Bachinsky as a planet beyond earth with & without gravity. A new world where gas masks are frequently worn to exist. The subjects are often a visionary postapocalyptic allegory, either artist-conjured or historical in reference.

Within this futuristic world, his classically rendered figures are often portrayed as playful yet powerful, freely expressing their sensual prowess without judgement or fear. Mythical or supernatural in nature, many can fly or float and are often winged, possessing spiritual nuance and feminine veneration.

Bachinsky’s scenes and landscapes, feature architectural shapes and forms of stone and metal, conjuring a vivid world in striking, complimentary color—some with hints of fluorescence and phosphorescence—creating a palpable aura felt by the viewer beyond the painted surface.

Bio by Nina Gimmel and Caroline Glemann