In Irkutsk, Nikas Safronov held his only press conference and presented his paintings for VIP guests at the Paris lounge club. The artist showed his most discussed works, answered questions, and gave autographs. His remarks, as always, stirred mixed emotions. His works will also be on view at the regional art museum. The exhibition runs from April 24 to May 23.

A brilliant elite, the “Most worldly artist in Russia,” one of the leading intellectuals of 2004 — this is only a small part of the titles held by the man who “delighted Irkutsk with his visit.”
Yesterday, the lounge club and restaurant “Paris” hosted the only press conference by the flamboyant artist Nikas Safronov and a presentation of his paintings for VIP guests. Journalists and the elite of the city of Irkutsk were able not only to see such works as “Madonna as a Butterfly,” covered in Swarovski crystals, a hybrid of the Mona Lisa and Salvador Dalí, a portrait of Putin, and many others, but also to speak with the artist in an informal setting. Safronov gladly gave autographs and posed for photos “for the memory.”
“The press conference is for twenty minutes, Nikas is tired,” the organizers warned. But it lasted about an hour and a half. As always, the journalists were interested in everything: his work, his opinions, his views, even his recipe for breakfast porridge. Nikas answered willingly, though his answers were somewhat vague, I would even say abstract. Perhaps it is an occupational disease, I won’t venture to judge…
“I am for a light revolution, but against Kulik (the scandalous and hooligan artist)… Malevich is plagiarism… Da Vinci has only a couple of famous paintings,” he expressed his point of view about other well-known artists. In his family there are 12 generations of priests, “only famous ones,” and he paints naked women on old icons “as a sign of protest.” In general, the “pressie” evoked rather contradictory feelings about him. Some of his words left one baffled, some made one think, be surprised, or be outraged, but it is absolutely certain that this is a person who cannot leave anyone indifferent to his persona. He is loved, exalted, cannot be tolerated, and is put down in every possible way. I believe this is also a kind of talent, no less important than the ability to paint, because “it is very difficult to survive in art.” He knows how to attract attention.
“I was invited here by you — I came. I have no financial interest here. If there is demand — fine. If you criticize me — also fine. Then we won’t come next time,” Nikas said, and urged: “You may love me or not love me, but be objective about the paintings.”
Every resident of Irkutsk will be able to form their own opinion, if not about him as a person, then about his works, which will also say a great deal, at the regional art museum. In whose halls Nikas Safronov is “exhibiting” from April 24 to May 23.