The Porcelain Splendor of Vladimir Kanevsky: New Sculptures

Serge Sorokko Gallery Presents:

THE PORCELAIN SPLENDOR OF VLADIMIR KANEVSKY: NEW SCULPTURES

"What brings the likes of Oscar de la Renta, Princess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis, Deeda Blair and Charlotte Moss to Fort Lee, New Jersey? The porcelain flowers made by Vladimir Kanevsky... Over the past 20 years, the Ukraine-born, suburbs-based Kanevsky has developed quite a following among the highest levels of the style cognoscenti for his handcrafted botanicals: double black hollyhocks, lush white hydrangeas, delicate lilies of the valley and the simplest wild daisies in weathered terra cotta pots. "I could tell his work from anywhere," says longtime collector and fashion designer turned lifestyle author Carolyne Roehm. "He's one of the few people I know who can almost compete with Mother Nature."

—David Netto, Wall Street Journal, February 23, 2012.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (October 15, 2014) - Serge Sorokko Gallery will host the world premiere of Ukraine-born American sculptor, Vladimir Kanevsky's latest works. "The Porcelain Splendor" will run

from November 14, 2014 through January 3, 2015 and include over 30 exquisite porcelain sculptures of

"breathtakingly lifelike" flowers hand-painted by the artist. A private reception for Vladimir Kanevsky will be held at the Serge Sorokko Gallery on November 13, from 6:00 to 8:00 in the evening. Amongst the one-of-a-kind creations on display will be the artist's critically-acclaimed botanicals: double black hollyhocks, lush white hydrangeas, delicate lilies-of-the-valley, and the simplest wild daisies in weathered terra cotta pots.

"I am very excited about this premiere," said the gallery owner Serge Sorokko. "In my over 30 years in the art business, this will be the first time that my gallery will be exhibiting decorative arts. I am thrilled that this important show also serves as a sneak preview of Kanevsky's officially scheduled exhibition at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, in the spring of 2016."

Originally an architect from the former Soviet Untion, Kanevsky has been lauded for his meticulous attention to detail in works of "exacting intricacy and immense beauty." In 1989, when he produced his first porcelain sculpture based on an 18th century melon tureen for Howard Slatkin, the prominent New York- based interior designer, Slatkin's reaction was swift - "Improvement upon perfection" is how he described Kanevsky's work.

About his sculptures, Kanevsky says, "I think the flowers connect my modern side with my retro side. A curator from the Cooper-Hewitt Museum came to my studio one day and said my flowers are traditional in concept but that they are modern because of the context."

In 2004, an exclusive collection of Kanevsky's flowers was shown at Bergdorf Goodman in New York. It wasn't too long before the American designer and author Carolyne Roehm snapped up every single sculpture on display. In 2012, Kanevsky, in collaboration with the 300-year-old Meissen Manufactory in Germany, created a collection of 11 pieces for the iconic German Porcelain Factory's Museum.

Vladimir Kanevsky's sculptures have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Veranda, The New York Times, House Beautiful, Architectural Digest, Departures, and Flower Magazine, among others. His works are in the private collections of taste-makers worldwide including Oscar and Annette de la Renta, Martha Stewart, Valentino, Daphne Guinness, Princess Gloria von Thurn and Taxis, Deeda Blair, Carolyne Roehm, Alberto Pinto, Charlotte Moss, and Tommy Hilfiger. Among his admirers and collectors was the late Jacqueline Onassis.