Boris Zaborov facts for kids
Boris Abramovich Zaborov (born October 16, 1935 – died January 20, 2021) was a talented artist from Belarus and France. He moved to Paris, France in 1980. There, he started a new career in painting. His art became well-known through many exhibitions. People in Europe, America, and Russia began to recognize his unique style.
Growing Up and Becoming an Artist
Boris Zaborov was born in 1935 in Minsk. This city is in a country called Belarus. His parents were Abram Zaborov and Esfir Rappoport. His family lived through World War II and the German invasion of Minsk. When the war ended, they returned to find their city in ruins.
In 1950, Boris started studying at the Minsk Fine Arts School. He left in 1953 to try to get into the Academy of Fine Arts in Saint Petersburg. He didn't pass the first time. But he tried again and was accepted the next year.
He felt very happy at the Academy. It was a place where he could focus on art. After his second year, he went to the Crimea for a summer painting trip. This trip didn't change his painting style. But it was important for his personal life.
Boris met a girl from Moscow there. That autumn, he joined the Surikov Art Institute in Moscow. He earned his diploma in 1961. The art scene in Moscow was very different. It was more connected to the outside world.
When he finished his studies, he moved back to Minsk. He started illustrating books to earn money. It was hard for him to paint his own way. The government had an "approved style" for art. Boris wanted to paint freely.
Moving to Paris
Boris Zaborov solved his problem by moving to Paris in May 1981. In Paris, he was free to paint whatever he wanted. But he also felt very alone. He used this feeling of loneliness to create his art.
He also used a folder of family photos he brought from the Soviet Union. These things helped him create a special artistic vision. This vision continued to shape his work. In Paris, he had his first art show by himself. He showed his art in many galleries and museums. These shows were in Paris and all over the world.
Famous Artworks
- Monument à l’Écrit: This is a bronze sculpture, four meters high. It's located at the entrance of the Technion campus in Haïfa, Israel. Boris worked with two architects, Shaul Kaner and Michael Seltser, on this piece.
- Musée des Offices: Boris Zaborov's work has been shown at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy.
