Ilichov Vladimir - Odessa artist and architect

Ilichov Vladimir — a distinguished Odesa-based artist and architect, holds a Ph.D. in Architecture and is a member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine. He is renowned for pioneering a unique artistic style he terms "Architecture in Painting," seamlessly blending these two artistic disciplines.

Education and academic contributions

Vladimir Ilichov’s multifaceted creative journey is built upon a solid professional education. From 1975 to 1979, he honed his artistic skills at the Odesa Mitrofan Grekov State Art College. He then pursued architectural studies, attending the Odesa Civil Engineering Institute's architecture faculty from 1979 to 1984.

His academic pursuits continued with postgraduate studies at the Higher Institute of Architecture and Construction in Sofia, Bulgaria, from 1988 to 1992, where he successfully defended his Ph.D. dissertation on urban environment design. Subsequently, from 1992 to 1996, Vladimir Ilichov served as an associate professor in the "Fundamentals of Architecture" department at the Odesa State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture.

Unique style and technique

Vladimir Ilichov's works transport viewers into a fascinating world where painting and architecture intertwine. The artist dedicated many years to studying the techniques of Renaissance masters, which enabled him to develop his own innovative and rapid painting method. This distinctive approach allows him to transfer almost any image—be it a photograph of a famous architectural landmark or an old drawing—onto canvas in just a few hours.

His portrayal of old Odesa is particularly noteworthy. In his solo exhibition "There is a City I See in a Dream," Ilichov presented a painterly reflection of Odesa's architecture, incorporating limestone, the primary building material of historical Odesa buildings, as an element of the multi-layered underpainting. This natural stone, composed of mollusk shells, symbolizes the "layers of time" embodied in the city's architectural masterpieces. This technique represents an attempt to merge painting and graphics, often featuring historical footnotes in the form of ancient coats of arms and coins. His paintings depict fragments of iconic Odesa structures such as the Russov House, the Libman House, buildings on Hretska Street, Catherine Square, alongside maritime and urban genre sketches.

Exhibition activity and recognition

Vladimir Ilichov's art is actively showcased in various exhibitions. Since 2008, his works have been displayed in exhibitions in France (including shows by the "Art Triangle" merchants' association and at the 4-star ASTON Hotel), and in 2009, in Italy (Sedile di Lecce - Piazza S. Oronzo).

Since 2010, the artist has been actively involved in Ukrainian art projects, including "Sea Edge," "Pantyhose2," "Big Ones," and "Infanta" at the AURUM Center for Contemporary Art. He also participated in the Second Odesa Biennial of Contemporary Art "Life Zone" at the Museum of Modern Art Odesa. In 2011, he presented his авторский арт-проект "Farewell, My Beloved City." His first solo painting exhibition took place in 2012 at the "In the Gardens of Victory" gallery in Odesa. He has also participated in exhibitions for Independence Day and "Odesa Painting" at the National Union of Artists of Ukraine in Odesa.

Alongside his wife, artist Elena Ilichova, Vladimir presented a joint exhibition titled "Untimely Love" at the ARTODESSA gallery. Their works, infused with romanticism and spirituality, explore the themes of male-female relationships, lyrical imagery, and life-affirming still lifes.

Vladimir Ilichov's paintings are highly regarded and continue to inspire art enthusiasts, demonstrating his unique contribution to the development of contemporary Ukrainian painting and architectural art.