Giennadij Jerszow

Giennadij Jerszow (; born 12 July 1967) is a Polish–Ukrainian sculptor, jewelry designer and art teacher. He is a member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine, and the National Association of Polish Artists and Designers. He is known for the production of monumental works, easel compositions and portraits, represented in different countries.

Biography Jerszow was born on 12 July 1967 in Chernihiv in Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union (today Ukraine) in a mixed Polish–Ukrainian family. As a repatriate he acquired Polish citizenship and his family moved in 2001 to Poland, where he currently resides in the city of Gdańsk. During his school years (1974–1982), he was engaged in gymnastics and judo. He graduated from a music school in the class of bass guitar, and began to show interest in photography. Following the family tradition, he planned to become a doctor. In 1986 he graduated from medical college, received a medical education (bachelor degree) in the specialty of paramedic; he then worked for two years in medical institutions. During his training, he became interested in wood carving and jewelry, took part in regional exhibitions. At the all-Union competition-exhibition of the folk art of the USSR held in Livadia in 1985 he was awarded with the "Small Medal of the Laureate". While working in medicine, he expanded the boundaries of knowledge of human psychology; as a result, he decided to change the direction and devote himself to art. He took up drawing and sculpture, moved to Kyiv in 1986 to attend the studio of fine arts of George Khusid, where he took up portraits and prepared for entrance exams at the art university.

Education From 1988 to 1991, Jerszow studied at the Lviv Academy of Arts at the department of monumental sculpture in the group of Emanuel Mysko. At the same time, he began to study privately and work in the workshop of Anatoly Galyan, where he gained practical experience in creating monumental works at all stages of realization. He subsequently he trained at the Ukrainian Academy of Arts faculty of sculpture and worked in a workshop of Valery Shvetsov and academician Vasyl Borodai. In 1995, he defended his diploma on historical and religious topics relating to Ancient Rus' – "Monument to Holy Prince Mikhail and Boyar Fedor".

Teaching 1996 – 1999 assistant and seniority at (NAVAA) National Academy of Visual Arts and Architecture, his supervisor was an Academician Vasyl Borodai. He began cooperation with a historian Vladimir Kovalenko and an academician Petro Tolochko, at the same time published articles in scientific journals. He created a program to perpetuate historical figures and events of the 17–18 centuries (based on historical materials of the Northern Part of the Left Bank of Ukraine). He created a series of projects dedicated to national heroes. The image of Ivan Mazepa was later embodied in bronze and was the first monument in Ukraine dedicated to the hetman – philanthropist. 1999 – 2000 Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Fine Arts. National University "Chernihiv Collegium" named after T. G. Shevchenko. Chernihiv, Ukraine. 2003 – 2004 Teacher of sculpture and metal plastics. Composition of connected plastic schools. Gdynia – Orlovo, Poland.

Creative method The sculptor works in a realistic style. The elaborate details are combined with lively textured sculpting and graceful lines, which makes the composition easy and dynamic. The artist carefully selects themes for his works. Throughout his creative career, he has been creating portraits and figurines of artists and scientists, religious figures and politicians, creating images of famous people from the world of ballet, music and fashion. Thanks to direct contact with contemporaries, he conveys the unique spirit and energy of his heroes. The gallery of a modern portrait is presented by President of Poland Lech Wałęsa, Pope John Paul II, Patriarch of Ukraine Filaret, Protestant pastor Roman Jan Pawlas, Georgian Director Guram Petriashvili, English singer-songwriter and composer Ken Hensley (Uriah Heep), Polish scholar Andrzej Ceynowa, artists: Evhen Karas, Vlad Dimyon, Yuri Olishkevych (United States), female images "Olga", "Barbara", "Anastasia", as well as the artist's children "Wanda" and "Ostap". The sculptor's works are distinguished by sensuality and emotionality, in each piece of work he conveys the individuality, mood and inner world of a person. As a material he uses bronze, ceramics, silver. He owns workshops in Gdańsk (Poland) and Chernihiv (Ukraine). He is the founder of the private gallery "FART", which has been engaged in the production and sale of sculptural works since 1995. 2008 – monument to Peter Prokopovich, (bronze, granite). Palchyky, Chernihiv region; 2007–2008 — "Stations of the Cross" — 14 reliefs (bronze) — Church of St. Anthony. Toruń, Poland; 2007 "Stanislaw Moniuszko" portrait – bust of the composer (bronze). The Stanislaw Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk, Poland; 2008 "Frederic Chopin" portrait – bust of the composer (bronze). Polish Baltic F.Chopin Philharmonic in Gdańsk, Poland; 2009 – (bronze, granite). The University of Gdańsk. Gdańsk, Poland; 2009 – (bronze, marble). Chernihiv, Ukraine; 2009 – (bronze, granite). Warsaw, Poland; 2009 – , alias Zapora" (bronze, granite). Tarnobrzeg, Poland; 2009 – the fountain "Roses", Central Square. Tarnobrzeg, Poland; 2010 – memorial on the site of the papal altar, in honour of the Holy mass with the participation of Pope John Paul II at Zaspa in Gdańsk on 12 June 1987. Gdańsk, Poland; 2010 – "Stations of the Cross" – 14 reliefs (bronze, wood). Parish of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Gdańsk; 2011 – figures – "Vaslav Nijinsky and Bronislava Nijinska" (bronze).The Great Theatre – National Opera. Warsaw, Poland; 2012 – monument to the Chaplain of "Solidarity" Henryk Jankowski. Gdańsk, Poland; 2014 – monument to Pope John Paul II. "Radio MARIA". Toruń, Poland; 2014 – memorial plaque – portrait of the composer Feliks Nowowiejski, music school patron (bronze). Gdańsk, Poland; 2014 – figure "Ken Hensley" (Uriah Heep) English singer – songwriter and composer (bronze, marble). Alicante, Spain; 2014 – figure "Arthur Schopenhauer" monument path implementation; 2014 – "Stations of the Cross" – 14 reliefs (bronze). Askold's Grave. Kyiv, Ukraine; 2015 – the . Gdańsk, Poland; 2016 – the . Gdańsk, Poland; 2017 – The Sarcophagus of Bishops of Pelpin. Bronze relief shutters depict angels and heraldry. Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption. Pelplin, Poland; 2018 -2020 – series of portrait statues dedicated to the prominent people of art.

Customers Opening of the monuments took place with the participation of Presidents of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma and Viktor Yushchenko, President of Poland Lech Kaczynski, Vice - Prime Minister of Ukraine Valeriy Smoliy, Ministers of culture of Poland Waldemar Dąbrowski and Romania Ion Karatu, Marshal of the Polish Senate Bogdan Borusewicz, Archbishops Tadeusz Gocłowski, Sławoj Leszek Głódź, bishop Andrzej Suski, Ryszard Kasyna, Włodzimierz Juszczak, Presidents of cities Wojciech Szczurek, Paweł Adamowicz, Jan Dziubinski, mayor of Bucharest Viorel Lis.

Among the customers were state and public institutions Chernihiv City Council; Gdańsk City Council; Tarnobrzeg City Council. Embassy of Ukraine in Bucharest and in Warsaw. Headquarters of the Navy of Poland – Gdynia. Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary – Gdańsk; Basilica of St. Brigida – Gdańsk; "Radio Maria" Toruń. Archdiocese of Gdańsk, Diocese of Pelplin, Diocese of Toruń. University of Gdańsk; Chernihiv National University. after T.G. Shevchenko; Historical reserve "Ancient Val" – Chernihiv; Historical reserve "Ancient Liubech". Polish Baltic Philharmonic named after Frederic Chopin; Stanislav Monyushko Academy of Music in Gdańsk; Ballet School – Gdańsk; The Great Theatre – National Opera in Warsaw. Also private companies and corporations. Works are located in museums and private collections ..

Awards and honors Church awards: Medal "PRO OPERE POLITISSIMA ARTE PERFECTO" by Primate of Poland Cardinal Jozef Glemp Public Awards: Badge of Honor "Golden Jewel of the Mazepa Family"

Personal life He is the father of three children: Philip born in 1989, Wanda born in 1995, Eustathius (Ostap) born in 1998.

Gallery