William Brui

William Brui was born in Leningrad in 1946, then graduated from an art school for children. In 1959, the young artist exhibited his works in his own apartment. In 1961, he found an apprentice position at an engraver’s workshop, where he met the leading authors of the 60s. In 1963, he started working in abstract manner. Through 1965-1970, he collaborated with a semiofficial Artists’ Shop gallery and took part in group exhibitions of Leningrad artists. In 1971, he moved to Paris and had exhibitions at Cité Internationale des Arts, as well as Anton Meyer Gallery in Geneva. In the same year, he met Alex Liberman, artistic director of Vogue magazine in New York, who became Brui’s patron and introduced him to the artistic bohème of New York. In 1973, Brui created United Fields series of works, of which Guggenheim Museum purchased one work, and New York MoMA — four pieces. In 1975-1977, Norton Dodge added three dozens of Brui’s paintings to his collection of Russian underground art and, in the 80s, organized several exhibitions with the participation of these pieces. In 1973-1983, the artist reached his golden age and exhibited a lot, including Andre Emmerich Gallery, one of the most prestigious in the field of contemporary art. Currently William Brui lives and works in his Normandy estate.

Works

Title: Untitled II, 1975–1975

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas

Title: Untitled III, 1975–1975

Medium: Acrylic on Canvas