Vladimir Zhbanov
Vladimir Ivanovich Zhbanov (1954, Minsk -2012, Minsk) is a Belarusian sculptor. Member of the Belarusian Union of Artists. He took part in the work on monuments to fallen internationalist soldiers (in Svetlogorsk, Vitebsk, Glubokoe, late 1980s), on the architectural ensemble in honor of the heroes of the Second World War (near Gomel, in collaboration with A. Lyschik). He was a recognized master, his works decorate the central places of the Belarusian capital. Coat of arms of the Republic of Belarus on the building of the National Bank (1996), cartouche emblems at the Dynamo stadium. After the tragedy, a sculpture "Girl with an umbrella" appeared in the underpass of the Minsk metro. Later, the sculptor fulfilled such orders of the Minsk City Executive Committee as "Photographer", "Lady with a dog", "Horse", "Geese in the Fountain" (co-authored with Evgeny Kolchev and Alexander Tukhto), "Bath Attendant", as well as the sculpture "Stargazer" in Mogilev. The sculptor’s works adorn not only Minsk, but also other cities of Belarus and abroad.
Vladimir Ivanovich Zhbanov (January 26, 1954, Minsk — January 16, 2012, Minsk) was a Belarusian sculptor. He was born on January 26, 1954. He grew up in a military family and showed interest in modeling since childhood. After graduating from the Minsk Glebov Art College in 1973, he entered the Belarusian State Theater and Art Institute at the sculpture department of the Art Faculty and successfully graduated in 1979. He served in Afghanistan. After the army, he studied for 3 years in the creative workshops of the USSR Academy of Arts (1983). 1985−1998. teacher of the highest category at the Minsk Glebov Art College. He became a mentor to many modern sculptors of Belarus. Since 1993, he has been a member of the Belarusian Union of Artists. Surprisingly, in just ten years, Vladimir Zhbanov "populated" Minsk with many recognizable images. Today, his works decorate the central places of the Belarusian capital. The first to appear was "The Girl on the Bench" ("Minchanka") in Mikhailovsky Square, then — "The Lighter". After Zhbanov created a "Girl with an umbrella". The opening of the composition took place in 2000 on Children’s Day. Vladimir Zhbanov’s living sculptures not only decorated the cities of Belarus, but also gave rise to various legends. They are touched for luck, they have dates. They like to be photographed against their background. Among the iconic works of Vladimir Zhbanov are "Photographer", "Lady with a Dog", "Horse", "Geese in the Fountain", "Horse", "Bath Attendant" and "Stargazer". The sculptor’s works have been installed not only in Minsk, but also in Bobruisk, Mogilev, Vitebsk, near Gomel, Svetlogorsk, Moscow region (Russia), Tobolsk (Russia), Pavlograd (Ukraine). Vladimir Zhbanov once confessed: "Now I can’t even imagine what I could do in life if it weren’t for my passion for sculpture from early childhood. The obsession with creating little people has never left me alone. In this world of fairy tales, I felt like the happiest of children." "
2001 International Exhibition "High Technologies", St. Petersburg . In the nomination "The best avant-garde solution", the sculptor's composition "The Lady on the Bench" received a prize.
2014 Memorial exhibition "From me", dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the birth of the master. The Museum of Modern Fine Arts, Minsk.
2024 Exhibition "Urban Chronicle in bronze", dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the birth of the master. Art Gallery named after Mikhail Savitsky, Minsk.
During Zhbanov's lifetime, not a single one of his solo exhibitions was organized. The master postponed this event until his 60th birthday. But I didn't have time.
2014 Memorial exhibition "From me", dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the birth of the master. The Museum of Modern Fine Arts, Minsk.
2024 Exhibition "Urban Chronicle in bronze", dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the birth of the master. Art Gallery named after Mikhail Savitsky, Minsk.
During Zhbanov's lifetime, not a single one of his solo exhibitions was organized. The master postponed this event until his 60th birthday. But I didn't have time.
"Vladimir Zhbanov was a brilliant master of working with urban space. He lowered the Belarusian sculpture from its pedestal, deprived it of pomp and breathed life into it."
Curator of the exhibition, art critic Larisa Mikhnevich.
Vladimir Zhbanov’s sculpture has become a kind of business card of Minsk. Thanks to V. Zhbanov, urban sculpture ceased to express any big, global ideas, ceased to carry an ideological burden. She has become an ornament of the city — she simply pleases Minsk residents, brings variety to urban life, overcomes the mundane, liberates consciousness, creates a mood and an areola of romance. Vladimir Zhbanov’s works inspire humanity and soul in the places where they were staged.
Larisa Mikhnevich, the art critic