Vasily Kafanov

Vasily Kafanov creates surrealist works that blend the figurative and abstract, telling stories through rich symbolism and narrative. Born in Moscow in 1952 to writer parents, he was raised primarily by his grandmother, who provided him with a classical education. His rebellious youth led him to serve in the Soviet Armed Forces in the Far East, where at age 18 he discovered his calling as an artist on the stark Kuril Islands.
After military service, Kafanov studied arts at the Moscow Institute of Technology. In the 1980s, material scarcity in Russia inspired him to develop a distinctive technique of painting on blueprints using acrylics, incorporating his signature fish motif. After moving to the United States in 1990, he expanded his practice to include ceramics and sculpture while maintaining his focus on figurative painting. Today, he continues working on blueprints, beginning each piece with detailed ink pen drawings that create precise, layered details. The industrial lines and faded tones add texture and depth, while his bold use of color and black ink outlines create a cloisonné effect reminiscent of stained glass.
Influenced by Commedia dell’Arte, Hieronymus Bosch, Pieter Bruegel, and Marc Chagall, Kafanov’s work explores themes of alchemy and transformation. His paintings are held in the Zimmerli Museum at Rutgers University, the Beaulieu Museum in France, and numerous private collections worldwide. He has created large-scale murals, including at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City, and collaborated with musicians including Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins. Kafanov is represented by Park West Gallery.