Renowned Georgian-Russian artist Zurab Tsereteli, celebrated for his monumental and often provocative sculptures, has passed away at the age of 91. His artistic legacy, marked by both admiration and criticism, will be remembered through his iconic works that continue to shape global landscapes.
Georgian-Russian artist Zurab Tsereteli, known for his gigantic and often provocative monuments, has passed away at the age of 91. Born in Tbilisi , Tsereteli‘s artistic career spanned over seven decades, during which he left an indelible mark on the world of art.
Zurab Tsereteli is a renowned Georgian sculptor, painter, and architect.
Born in 1933 in Kutaisi, Georgia, he studied at the Surikov Art Institute in Moscow.
Tsereteli's works often blend realism with symbolism, exploring themes of love, beauty, and human emotions.
His notable creations include the 'Motherland Calls' monument in Volgograd, Russia, and the Statue of Liberty replica in Las Vegas, USA.
Rising to fame during the Soviet era, Tsereteli led the team of designers for Moscow’s 1980 Olympic Games and built large sculptures in cities across the globe. His works have been met with both admiration and criticism, but his artistic genius cannot be denied. Despite controversy surrounding some of his projects, Tsereteli was widely respected throughout the art world.
Tsereteli‘s monumental sculptures can be found in cities around the world, including a 98m-tall monument to Tsar Peter the Great in Moscow, which is slightly taller than the Statue of Liberty. Other notable works include:
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The Tear of Grief monument, commemorating victims of the 11 September 2001 attacks, which stands in New Jersey.
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Good Defeats Evil, a sculpture at the UN Headquarters in New York that depicts St George slaying a dragon.
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Birth of the New World, a colossal monument to Christopher Columbus‘s first voyage, one of the tallest sculptures on earth.
Tsereteli was not only a sculptor but also a painter and an architect. He took a key role in reconstructing Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and created smaller bronze studies of major figures including Princess Diana and Vladimir Putin.
