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Moscow artists Lily Balasanova and Sergei Kolevatykh

Recent work includes paintings and collages from four series - Balasanova's "Imaginary Landscapes" and "Retro", and Kolevatykh's "Reminiscence" and "Great Cities". These new series showcase the artists' impressive vision and unusual, intricate technique. Of special interest are their interpretations of Chicago's remarkable skyline and architectural heritage. Lily and Sergei are frequent visitors to Evanston, and their art work has been successfully presented by the gallery since 2004.
Since 1990, Lily and Sergei have participated in numerous international shows and art projects. The themes of intercultural influence and ethnic traditions, modernity and nature, and rationalism and the secret life of our inner beings are reflected in their works.
Extensive travel throughout Europe and America has greatly affected the artists' work. During 1996-97, while their paintings were shown at Zalman Gallery in New York City, they took a cross-country train trip across America. This experience affected them deeply, and is revealed in many of their paintings: the meditative tranquility of "Imaginary Landscapes" finds its inspiration in the lucid air and tranquility of New Mexico; the "Reminiscence" and "Retro" series were instigated by old photos and artifacts seen in the small towns of Mississippi, and the antique shops of Vermont and New Hampshire; and, "Great Cities" breathes of the vitality and modern beauty of the American metropolis.
Lily Balasanova and Sergei Kolevatykh are partners in art and in life, working side-by-side since the beginning of their artistic careers. They met as students in the Department of Art and Design at the Moscow Academy of Textiles - a prominent art school in Russia. It comes as no surprise that they have many things in common, and their aesthetic preferences are almost the same. They both like to explore new materials and various techniques, and are constantly in search of new forms of expression. Nonetheless, they are different artists and work on developing this distinction.
Although Lily and Sergei rarely collaborate on a piece, they prefer joint showings of their works. Themes of upcoming exhibitions are always thoroughly discussed, and immense mutual research work preceded every show. While they usually create separate collections, they believe their works are complementary and find it fascinating to observe the same subject from different points of view.

Their work is exhibited in a number of embassies and museums:

The Deloitte Collection, Chicago
The State Museum of Contemporary Art, Moscow
The State Museum of Fine Arts, Mahach-Kala, Dagestan, Russia
The Art Foundation, Russia
The Center of Contemporary Art "M'Ars", Moscow
The Office of IMF in Moscow
The Embassy of the Netherlands, Moscow
The Embassy of Japan, Moscow
The Embassy of Finland, Moscow
The Embassy of Yugoslavia, Moscow
The Central Agency of Real Estate, Moscow.

Also, they exhibit in Moscow, Amsterdam, Prague, and Evanston.