Artist Egor Shokoladov’s solo exhibition, entitled "Semicolon)," will be on display in Peninsula College’s PUB Gallery of Art November 16 through January 20. He will also host a December 9 Studium Generale presentation online, beginning at 12:35 pm via Zoom.
Originally from the small town of Grodno, Belarus, Shokoladov said he has been expressing his thoughts and impressions about the world though art as long as he can remember.
“I am particularly inspired by humor, so it is a common theme uniting most of my artwork,” Shokoladov said. “Personages and situations illustrated on my paper and canvas or engraved on zinc plates are easily relatable and bring positive vibes into the world.”
His artistic talent was recognized early. At 11 years old he was accepted into Grodno School of Fine Arts. Six years later, after graduation, he was invited to paint in the Lyceum in Grodno. There he had his first solo professional exhibition, starting his journey as an independent artist.
“I pay close attention to details attracting the viewer to explore all parts of the story behind each of my artistic pieces with me,” he said. “My style has noticeable European shade as I am a recent first-generation immigrant from Belarus.”
Upon graduation from Lyceum, Egor decided to continue formal education in art as a student of Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno, where he obtained a Master of Arts degree, specializing in Visual Art and Computer Graphics.
In recent years Shokoladov has created art to present at exhibitions and to fulfill commissions. His work can be found in galleries, museums and private collections in Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, China, Poland, United States, France, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Russia, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine.
In 2020, Shokoladov moved to Spokane, Washington. He started his artistic career in the U.S. by creating a temporary mural “Confessions of the Jester” in downtown Spokane, as part of the Spokane Arts project. His most recent successes include the “People’s Choice Award” for the etching prints “Lepidopterist” and “Diary of a Little Girl” submitted to the “Small Expressions-19” and “Lost Words: A Juried Exhibit of Art and Poetry” exhibitions respectively at the Northwind Arts Center in Port Townsend.
Shokoladov said he was stunned by the variety of opportunities available for artists in the U.S., and is excited for continue his professional growth and establishment as an artist in America.
Both the exhibition and Studium events are free and open to the public.
For more information, contact Dr. Kate Reavey at kreavey@pencol.edu.
Join the Zoom event at https://pencol-edu.zoom.us/j/82027861421. Meeting ID: 820 2786 1421.