Biography

1966

Igor Anvar Kufayev is born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on January 5. The only child to his mother of Russian-Tatar noble descent and his father from Kanibadam, Tadjikistan.

1978

Enters the studio of a legendary figure, Shamyl Rahimov, a place of underground meetings between liberal thinkers, poets and painters. His mentor's tragic death leads to young Igor's decision to become an artist.

1981-1985

Enters the prestigious Tashkent College of Art & Design, painting department. First visits to Moscow, St Petersburg, Riga, Kiev. Travels and paints extensively in Bukhara, Khiva and other towns in Central Asia.

1985-1987

Forced to join the Military service; awakened interest towards religion and theology.

1988

Attends the Institute of Art and Theatre (department of Mural painting), where he masters various traditional techniques, but soon leaves for St. Petersburg and the Academy of Fine Arts, where independently of his official course of studies, he undertakes numerous copies, drawings and paintings of the great masterpieces of western art, in the Hermitage museum.

1990

Moves to Warsaw. This was a formative time. He felt compelled to improvise, consciously responding to his increased awareness of the Art of the 20th century. Encounter with well known art critic Andrzej Matynia leads to Kufayev's first solo exhibition of pastels at the Monetti gallery.

1991

Two successive solo exhibitions, (April, June), at the Monetti gallery. Subsequently he moves to London, continuing the work he began in Warsaw. Receives encouragement and support from Richard Camber. This was a turning point in his life. Disatisfied with contemporary conceptualism, Igor Kufayev felt the need to return to the basis of European Art - the human figure.

1993

One person exhibition at the Groucho Club, Soho. Travels in Greece. Begins his regular visits to Paris. Moves to an apartment in Little Venice.

1994

One person exhibition entitled ''Burnt Earth'' at the Base gallery, Cork street. Makes the acquaintance of Art critic Brian Sewell. Several of his paintings are purchased by Sir Elton John. Befriends art journalist Robin Dutt and the circle of other socialites. Makes large monochromatic ''Painting-Drawing'' works.

1995

Moves to Landseer Studios, St John's Wood. Works on themes inspired by the study of Sacred and Vedic Geometry, developing images based on the Circle, Triangle and Square: ''Purusha'', ''Three Graces'', ''Zauber''. Visits Rome. Interest in Indian philosophy leads to Igor's daily practice of Yoga with initiation into Transcendental Meditation, founded by His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

Works on the idea of ''Sacrifice'', aiming to emphasize the illusory nature of seeing, with a cube, inside a conical pyramid, as part of an integral space where the experience would take place. Invites architect Peter Ayley to develop a structure for the concept of what could be called a temple for a new millennium. "Millenium Monument"

1996

Exhibitions of drawings from his own studio, become a regular event. Begins working on the ''Lovers'' theme. Receives British citizenship. Spends spring in a Yoga retreat, Bahamas islands.

1997-1998

Travels back to Uzbekistan. Visits Basel art fair. Extended stay in Italy, near Florence, Fiesole where he paints a series of small canvasses for ''The Discerning Eye'' exhibition, curated by Brian Sewell. Visits New York. Begins working on the ''Annunciation'' theme. Spends summer in the South of France, working on large pastels.

1999

Moves to Clifton Hill Studios, St John's Wood. works on a series of large oils inspired by experiments with pastel technique. Makes drawings from live model and photographs.Returns to a more reclusive life style.

2000

''Drawings'' exhibition, Clifton Hill Studios. Visits Madrid. Travels in Provence, France.

2001

''Vouler de Roses'' exhibition of pastels, Clifton Hill Studios. Returns to Uzbekistan to learn the TM-Sidhi Program, an advanced Yogic Flying Technique. Surrenders to the higher Self recognizing His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to be his spiritual guide, the Guru.

2002-2004

On his return to London, Igor takes time off painting due to profound Yogic experiences and concentrates on reading the scriptures, while experiencing expanded states of awareness. Composes his first verses in English. Leads an extensive correspondence sharing his insights into Reality with other seekers of truth. Makes Sadhana (spiritual practice) the central pillar of his life, around which all other activities revolve; dividing his time between reading, writing and traveling ...

2005

After four years of silent contemplation Igor returns to the act of painting and an art activity in general.