VADUZ.- Ilya Chashnik (1902–1929) was an outstanding representative of early twentieth century art in the young Soviet Union. After studying architecture in Moscow and painting with Marc Chagall in Vitebsk, he met Kazimir Malevich in 1919, later becoming one of the most important and best exponents of “suprematism” founded by the latter. His goal was to expand art comprehensively as “new art” so as to embrace all aspects of material, intellectual and spiritual life, to apply it to these, and thus to refound life in society. However, his working closely together with Malevich did not prevent Chashnik from pursuing a very individual career within suprematism.

Dying at a young age, Chashnik left behind a small, but highly original and powerful oeuvre combing painting, graphic design, stage sets, architecture, urbanism and design in a visionary manner. Still widely unknown outside Russia, Chashnik has yet to be discovered as an influential figure and highly talented artist. His continuation of his own version of the suprematist world-view in particular is hitherto largely unrecognised.

The exhibition at Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein presents the great diversity of Chashnik’s oeuvre based on almost 100 works on paper and an architectural model. All works are owned by the Sepherot Foundation in Liechtenstein, which has collected them with great care and expertise over the past years. They give an excellent insight into the breadth, quality and originality of this artist’s work.

A collection catalogue in German has been published on this occasion, accompanied by another publication on the exhibition. A series of ceramic plates with designs by Ilya Chashnik is also being published as a limited edition of Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein in co-operation with the Sepherot Foundation and Schädler Keramik, Nendeln (FL).

The exhibition is a production of Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, curated by Friedemann Malsch.