AKBASOV Naum (Nahum) Stefanovic (Nahum Tschacbasov)

31 августа 1899 (Baku) — 18 февраля 1984 (new-Йорк)

Painter, graphic artist, sculptor, decorative artist-прикладного art, photographer, poet

From large families. Akbasov surname is an anagram of the several family names. The father emigrated from Russia in 1905 and settled in Chicago, where he planned to open his own printing business. In 1907 it was joined by a mother with children. His father's business failed, his childhood in a poor Chicago neighborhood. To help the family, 14-летнем age left school and got a job. In 1918 he enlisted in the military-морской the U.S. Navy, he participated in the battles near Scapa-Флоу on the Northern coast of Scotland. In those years I began to paint; wrote Northern landscapes.

After demobilization, he studied Economics at night school, worked as an accountant, has organized his own accounting business. In the late 1920-х started painting and drawing. Passed through passion creativity П. Сезанна, В. Ван Gogh, Ж. Руо. In 1932 he moved to new-Йорк to be in the center of artistic life, then — in Paris. Studied in Paris at Л. Готтлиба, М. Громера and a short time under the leadership Ф. Леже. Traveled to Spain, North Africa. Had a solo exhibition of landscapes at the gallery Zak in Paris, exhibited at the salon des Tuileries (1934).

In 1934 returned to new-Йорк. He painted landscapes, portraits, figures, genre scenes; worked in the encaustic technique. Since 1935 worked in the Federal art project of the Department of public works (Federal Art Project of the Works Progress Administration); met many new-йоркскими artists-модернистами. A member and Exhibitor of the group of "Ten" (The Ten, 1935-1937); in 1937 left the group without sharing the desire of its members to radical abstraction. In the late 1930-х closer to the range of artists a more social orientation — and R. М. Сойерами, Д. Бурлюком, М. Авери, У. Гроппером, М. Вебером. Member of the National Executive Committee of the Congress of American artists (1936); in 1936-1937 — managing the Affairs of the journal Art Front.

In 1940-х took up photography, shot on color film work of his friends-художников. In those same years has moved away from expressionism, he began to develop artistic technique, is based on the connection of surrealism and cubism. From 1944 he worked in the print workshop У. С. Хейтера — the center for new-йоркских Surrealists. Executed a number of etchings.

Cooperated with the A. C. A. galleries, which organized a 5 персональных exhibitions (1936-1943). His personal exhibitions were held in new-йоркских galleries Secession (1935), Perls (1945-1948, annually), J. Heller (1950, 1951, 1953), as well as in New Orleans, Philadelphia (both — 1944), Los-Анджелесе, San-Франциско (both — 1946), new-Йорке (1955, 1974). Participated in many group exhibitions, including the Pennsylvania Academy of fine arts (1941), the art Institute of Chicago (1943, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1947) , etc.

he Taught at the Art students League (1945-1951), a private school in Woodstock (upstate new-Йорк, 1948-1956).

Since the late 1930-х was engaged in literary creativity; the author of the surreal biography "the Moon — is my uncle" (The Moon is My Uncle); wrote poetry, published poetry collection The Machinery of Fright (1982).

Work is represented in many Museum collections, among them — Metropolitan Museum of art, Brooklyn Museum, Museum of American art the Whitney, the Jewish Museum in new-Йорке, Smithsonian Museum of American art in Washington, and others.

Sources:
1. American artists of the Russian Empire. Painting, sculpture from museums and galleries in the U.S. and private collections / Almanac. Vol. 208. St. Petersburg, 2008. S. 283.
2. artrz.ru
3. warholstars.org
4. bravurastyle.com
5. artoftherussias.wordpress.com