Budkeev Mikhail Yakovlevich

Studied at the Art Studio in Barnaul (1948-50) with I. M. Peretolchin, I. I. Safranov. Member of the Artists’ Union of the USSR (from 1961 on). Took part in exhibitions from 1949 on. Lived in Biysk (1946-1954), has been living in Barnaul since 1954. Worked as a scene-painter at the Biysk Drama Theatre. Distinguished Artist of the RSFSR (1983), People’s Artist of the Russian Federation (2007). Winner of the Prize of the Altay Region in the fields of Literature, Art, Architecture and Folk arts and crafts (2006). “It is hard to name milestone works in the oeuvre of M. Ya. Budkeev. His path in art is the growth in power and expressiveness of one tune, whose basis is the clear love of life. Love of life, the cheerful perception of the world, the joy of the beloved work, the contentment flowing from it; kindness and poetic sentiment are expressed simply in M. Ya. Budkeev’s paintings, through the resonant range of colours, naturally and organically. Fate decided that he should become an artist. M. Ya. Budkeev became one.” (T. M. Stepanskaya)