04.05.2024

“Reflections of India” by Galina Stepanova at the Festival “Roerichs: Heralds of Culture” in the IRMT

On the festive day on May 4, as part of the festival “Roerichs: Heralds of Culture”, dedicated to the anniversary dates of the great Russian family, in the Exhibition Hall of the International Roerich Memorial Trust there was an opening of the painting exhibition “Reflections of India” by Galina Stepanova. The red ribbon was solemnly cut by the Chief guests of the Festival Ms Torul S. Raveesh, the Deputy Commissioner Kullu – cum - Director of the IRMT and Mrs Yulia Aryaeva, Counselor of the Russian Embassy in India. The artist was greeted by Mr Suresh Kumar, the Indian Curator of the IRMT, and Mrs Larisa Surgina, the Russian Curator working in the IRMT on the direction from the International Center of the Roerichs, Moscow. 

Mrs Stepanova grew up in a creative family, and, as the artist herself says, the smell of colors from childhood was something mysterious and attractive to her. She did not paint, but she wanted very much to be involved in this creative process. In 2005 her dream of opening her own art gallery came true.

Mrs Galina Stepanova is not just an artist: she is a philanthropist and entrepreneur, the owner of “The St. Petersburg Artist” art gallery and the Maryino Estate, restored by her. She is also a person who can dream and make her dreams come true. Her positive outlook on life is fully reflected in the paintings presented at the exhibition: they radiate light, joy and love – in this case, love for India, visited by the artist in 2009. 

⁠The mysterious and magical India, where one of her plein airs took place, made such an indelible impression on the artist that thirteen years later she revisited her memories and created a whole series of works dedicated to this amazing country. “There is something in the very air of India that makes you forget all your worries, relax and start creating. It is so bright, juicy and fragrant that it asks to be put on canvas", – Mrs Galina says.

Dressed up elephants and funny monkeys, Rajasthani girls with cheerful smiles and a funny bathing scene, the beauty of ancient architecture and a “dimensionless” Indian bus, where there is always room for everyone – the attentive eye of the artist as if snatches the most interesting and unexpected moments for the guests of India from the thick of southern Indian life, admiring them and coloring them with her benevolence and kind smile. Bright pure colors, picturesque characters, cheerful subjects caused sincere admiration of all guests and visitors of the exhibition.

This summer the Days of India were held in the old noble Maryino Estate, which Mrs Galina Stepanova restored almost from ruins. It aroused such interest that the owner of the Manor suggests making this festival an annual event. So the Indian theme in the life and work of the St. Petersburg artist and promoter of Culture promises to be endless. And the memories of hot southern India will undoubtedly be enriched with unforgettable impressions from visiting the Himalayas, the Kullu Valley and the memorial Estate of the Roerich family.

At the same time she started organizing plein airs for artists. At one of the plein airs Galina, putting aside organizational duties, took a brush and oil in her hands, stood up to the easel – and experienced a true delight from the very process of creativity! This is how the birth of the future artist took place.