Vladimir Kush, a Russian-born surrealist painter, has captivated audiences worldwide with his imaginative and thought-provoking artwork. Born in 1965 in Moscow, Kush displayed an early aptitude for art, attending art school at the age of seven and later studying at the Surikov Moscow Art Institute. His journey as an artist took him from Russia to the United States, where he eventually opened galleries in locations such as Las Vegas and Hawaii.
Kush’s paintings often blend elements of reality with dream-like scenarios, creating a unique visual language that challenges conventional perceptions. His work is frequently compared to that of Salvador Dalí, yet Kush has carved out his own distinct style. His pieces often feature intricate details and vivid colors, inviting viewers to ponder the deeper meanings behind each composition.
One of his most famous paintings, “Departure of the Winged Ship,” showcases a ship with sails made of giant leaves, floating above a sea of clouds. This painting exemplifies Kush’s ability to merge the natural world with human invention, creating a harmonious yet surreal landscape. The painting serves as a metaphor for human aspiration and the limitless possibilities of imagination.
Another remarkable piece, “Walnut of Eden,” depicts a walnut shell containing a miniature paradise, complete with a tiny Adam and Eve. This painting plays with the concept of scale and the idea that entire worlds can exist within small, seemingly insignificant objects. It challenges viewers to reconsider their understanding of space and importance, suggesting that beauty and complexity can be found in the most unexpected places.
Kush’s art often challenges our understanding of physics and dimensions as well. Some of his paintings feature impossible geometries and paradoxical spaces that defy the laws of physics, yet feel strangely plausible within the context of the artwork. These pieces ask the viewer to suspend disbelief and accept a reality governed by a different set of rules.
For example, in “Eye of the Needle,” Vladimir Kush presents a mesmerizing fusion of the organic and the man-made. The painting features a giant needle, its eye forming a gateway to a new dimension or perhaps another world altogether. Instead of thread, a ship sails through the eye, as if embarking on a journey through time and space. The sky and sea blend seamlessly in the background, adding to the painting’s ethereal quality.
The work prompts viewers to consider themes of transition, passage, and transformation. It’s as if the needle stitches together different realms, connecting the known with the unknown. The ship sailing through the eye symbolizes human curiosity and the quest for discovery, even when the destination is uncertain.
In “Forgotten Sunglasses,” Vladimir Kush takes a seemingly mundane object and transforms it into a focal point for introspection and wonder. The painting features a pair of sunglasses left behind on a sandy beach, but with a twist: the lenses serve as windows to another world, revealing a vibrant underwater seascape teeming with marine life. The juxtaposition of the forgotten sunglasses and the vivid world within them prompts viewers to consider themes of perception and reality.
The glasses, often used to shield or filter our vision, here provide a glimpse into a hidden, magical realm. It’s as if the viewer is invited to look beyond the surface, both literally and metaphorically, to discover the beauty and complexity that often go unnoticed in our daily lives.
Vladimir is also a skilled storyteller. Each painting offers a narrative, sometimes whimsical and sometimes profound, that invites the viewer to construct their own interpretation. The stories told through his art are as compelling as the visual elements, adding layers of meaning that make each piece a multifaceted gem.
Kush’s art has garnered international acclaim, with exhibitions in countries around the world. Critics and art enthusiasts alike praise his technical skill and innovative approach to surrealism. His work has also found its way into private collections and has been featured in various publications, solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in contemporary art.
Vladimir Kush is a master of surrealistic art, captivating audiences with his intricate details, vivid colors, and thought-provoking themes. While his work is not currently featured in our previous article on 20 Most Famous Artworks You Must See at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, his influence and talent make him a pivotal figure deserving of similar recognition in the art world today. Whether through painting or sculpture, he continues to challenge and inspire, solidifying his reputation as a standout talent in contemporary art.
90 comments
His paintings are so intriguing. The african sonata was painted in which year and where?
I bought my first Kush pieces today in Las Vegas, very expensive even for the prints to say the least, but I’ve been a fan for a long time and needed a show piece for the living room. Mythology of The Oceans and Heavens plus Departure of the Winged Ship are the two I got, mainly because Mythology encompasses so many key elements of Kush pieces and incorporates many of the smaller works into it. It’s just a stunning piece. I’m a big Dalí fan, he’s long been my favorite artist, but Kush is arguably even more interesting and as I delve more into his work I appreciate it even more. Sadly I think it’ll be a while before I can afford more pieces ha ha.
I need to know if departure of the winged ship, metamorphosis and Fauna in La Mancha were created by Vladimir Kush or Salvador Dali. Please help I am so confused.
can any one tell me what year Breakfast on the Lake was painted, or what medium was used?
It seems to me that several of these are actually Dali’s paintings. Not that they are similar, but that they were actually painted by Salvador Dali…
where did you find that some of these paintings are by dali ? go to valdimir’s official website and see for yourself that all of them are painted by him.
Awesome…love them
i love his paintings
I need to know the name of his painting, that has the brain in the water with the boat. My daughter is doing her senior project on Vladimir Kush and needs the name of this painting. Thank you for your help. Mr. Kush’s paintings are amazing.
the painting you are referring to is called ‘Everyman is an Island and we belong to the same sea’ 🙂
Excellent gesture.
Very intresting and weird at the same time.
YOU’ARE A AMAZING CREATOR!
I’am fan !
I thought Dali painted Departure of the Winged Ship…
I think it’s just awesome…
Wow! Amazing Imagination… wonderful skills and great talent.
Would it be legal for me to use these as desktop pictures?
omg i was blown away so amazing its rlly amazing cant say how just wow this is
i love all the pictures and appreciate the great artist
grabe, ang ganda!! :))))))))
saludo ako sa gumawa….
I love Vladimir’s work after a woman seeing my artwork said it reminded her of him. To compare and enjoy you could take my free wallpaper at http://davemartsolfsurrealist.wordpress.com
Idea yang menyegarkan daya cipta, sungguh luar biasa !
He makes me feel light and dream with open eyes
world is huge, all sorts of strangeness can exist!
Amazing…
Really beautiful, amazing!
What an amazing artist, with a glorious imagination and the gift to be able to create such works of art, I am in awe!!!
9th on, Journey Along the Edge of the Earth what is that???
Its amazing…………
wow amazinggggggggggg
I think it’s the modern Surreal art.They’re work of arts.Fantastic !DREAM ON!
i adore these works!
they are so creative..so surrealistic
Who’s the expert?? is it justin bieber because some of these are copyright.
The colors and images look indeed a lot like Dali…. I just love Dali!
If you are a spiritual person, you understand the art of Kush. Ok – there is at the first glance a similarity between his art and Dalis art, but there are worlds between. Kush is on a different level and has actually nothing to do with Surrealism.
breakfast on the lake is beautiful illustration.
The colors and images look indeed a lot like Dali…. I just love Dali!
wow~~It is beautiful!
I love the way you name your pictures.
These paintings are really so creative! I like!
How beautiful they are!Very nice.I love them.Thanks for you share.
It amazing art works.
So beautiful, it’s full of creative.
breakfast on the lake is beautiful illustration.
It’s amazing~Thanks for sharing these creative paintings!
I love the way you name your pictures. You make life very rich in your imaginations of the real art and nature. These are stunning creations of yours, Vladimir! You are amazing!Thank you for sharing. I wish you the best of all your wishes!!!
I like the Fish in the City,haha.
really amazing! thank you for sharing these!
Beautiful.So nice post.
Very nice.
I like this flower vase.
and the Departure of the Winged Ship is a total copy of Dali’s…wtf…is that legal?
I’m sorry I can’t…The second ones back is a copy of Dali’s work…I hate this kind of thing…Is he claiming it to be his work???
I truly liked your incredible content. Please keep up the good work. Thank you very much!
Last Supper and Golden Anniversary made me laugh a bit. Very talented artist. I also liked African Sonata. 🙂
this is a bit random I guess, but this guy should illustrate One Hundred years of Solitude by Marquez.
I always wondered if it was possible, and this guy makes it seem so.
there is a difference between inspiration and, well… copying a style…
“The secret to creativity is knowing how to HIDE your sources.”
Albert Einstein
JUST BEAUTIFUL
so beautiful
Yes bllody maverliousily
By the way, I absolutely love the coin-fish, just amazing!
The colors and images look indeed a lot like Dali…. I just love Dali!
Horn of Babel….hehehe
this is BEAUTIFUL. i really love it. i’ve never seen his artwork, so i’m really glad i stumbled on this 🙂
incredible, brilliant
no way his last name is Kush.
IN LOVE WITH THIS ARTWORK. (:
His skies are wonderful. He captures the colors of near sunset and early twilight perfectly. His crescent moons are always correctly aligned with the light.
Golden Anniversary cracked me up, but is still a wonder. I like Kush’s work a lot. Makes you think of what the rest of the world is like in each painting, it’s peoples and histories
It looks like Dali , but sometimes the philosophy of daly is replaced by simple ornaments
It does NOT look anything like Dali.Kush is sui generis and if if you were operating a brain you ,like all others would know it at the first glance.
AWAITING MODERATION? never mind, don’t post my comment you *****….
your gonna censor peoples opinion on art? what is the f***ing point, you should move to china already…..
That’s why we moderate comments. You don’t even know how many people write with obscenities like in your last comment. This is the only way to keep our site clean and positive.
It’s a good policy. If you have something good to say, you shouldn’t have to use vulgar language to say it (unless you’re Morgan Freeman).
If your comment was a thoughtful one, no doubt it would be posted instantly. Apparently the level of cognitive power you showed was not immediately obvious.
there is a difference between inspiration and, well… copying a style…
“The secret to creativity is knowing how to HIDE your sources.”
Albert Einstein
He’s not all Dali.
Additionally, I just find it mildly ironic that you criticize him (for an arguably very creative interpretation of surrealism) with a sourced quote advocating the hiding of sources. But I understand, of course, that your comment was by no means meant to be creative.
what the hell…have you compared his wor and Dali’s…The Departure of the Winged Ship IS Dali’s copy it has tha same name. What’s withthe denial????
art is in the eye of the beholder
That’s really wonderful paint!
I am a fan of this guys work and there are some I haven’t seen like african sonata, he’s very talented*
exseptional!!!!!!
A lot of Dali influence, I see that. Still it’s undeniable art. I’m appreciating these pieces very much.
Great concept! Creative and innovative. Last Supper is my favorite.
Nice concept. Love the use of butterflies.
Very nice. I think Dali got there 50 years earlier. And isn’t the word ‘Surrealist’?
Not “Surrealist”, because the Surrealists were a self-defined (and strictly defined) group, which Vladimir Kush does not belong to, this could be called “surrealist” (lower-case), but because he’s not following in their practices, it’s more like his term “metaphorical realism” or, as I would probably call it, “allegorical fantasy.” The main difference between this and Surrealism is that the Surrealists used specifically dream imagery and played with unconsciousness (or subconsciousness/automatism) first and foremost, whereas this guy uses much more conscious, intentional imagery which at times *borrows* from Surrealist works, but as an intellectual/historical reference, not a dream image and not as the employment of what you might call the early-post-Freudian psychoanalytical approach employed by say, Dali.
Directly though “surrealistic” is an over-developed word that probably doesn’t exist; oddly enough it *would* have the proper connotations (“resembling Surrealism”) if it did exist.
yea yea i learned about all this too but dont be such a smartass appreciate the art will ya
Calling it allegorical fantasy won’t do because pretty much everyone calls it surreal. Reference material here is pointless because the actual use changes faster than any printed reference can hope to keep up. This is why things like urbandictionary are now coming because you need an e-library of current use words 🙂
I am a fan of this guys work and there are some I haven’t seen like turkey, he’s very talented*