Dimitry Polak

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Dimitry Polak
 Dimitry Polak
Born:
1922, nr Kiev, Russia
Died:
2008, Israel
Artist:
Impressionist style landscape painter
Description:
Ukrainian artist who emigrated to Israel in his later years

Dimitry Pollak was a landscape artist who emigrated to Israel in the twilight years of his life, receiving international recognition as a result.

[edit] Background

Dimitry Pollak, (also spelt Dimitri Polak) was born in a small village near Kiev, in 1922, following the upheaval in Russia after the Revolution. He inherited his talent from his father, who was also a gifted artist. Pollak studied painting and drawing from a young age but his formal art education was put on hold when the 2nd World War came to the Soviet Union in 1941. After serving in the Soviet army during the war, Dimitry Pollak went to the Kiev Institute of Arts where he graduated. In 1945 his ability was such that Pollak was able to join the U.S.S.R. Union of Artists, which was essential in order to be considered a bone-fide artist in Soviet Union. Art in Russia usually meant producing social-realist work or paintings that didn’t threaten the political status quo e.g. landscapes. Dimitry Pollak drew on lyrical impressionism to create his paintings and became very well known in Russia for his landscapes. Pollak exhibited frequently in both group and one-man art shows throughout the Soviet Union including the Union of Artists House in Kiev in 1984, and his work was very well received.

[edit] Israel

In 1991, after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the opening up of the Soviet Union, Dimitry Pollak decided to move to Israel. At first Pollak found it difficult to adjust his painting technique to the Mediterranean light as this was much stronger and brighter than the light he was used to in Russia. Pollak had to change some of colors he used to paint with as well as adjusting his technique so that he could achieve the effects he wanted. However Dimitry Pollak’s method of layering the paint to build up the texture lent itself to his new environment and enabled him to develop more as an artist. Pollak continued to paint landscapes and when they have figures in them they are usually images of people in the past, strolling in the park or in nature, giving his paintings a timeless quality. Pollak’s later work, although still remaining somewhat stylized, exposed him to a wider audience and enabled him to receive greater recognition and acclaim than had been possible in his native Ukraine. Pollak painted in oils on canvas as well as producing limited edition serigraph prints. His work can be seen in galleries and online. He continued to exhibit and paint until he died in 2008.

 
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