HRH Prince Michael of Kent and Annya Sand.
- Study of Russia exhibition at Asia House, London, 4-8 December 2013
- Ahead of UK-Russia Year of Culture 2014
- Features Russia’s cultural and political icons by artist Annya Sand
- Supported by Mayor of London, Boris Johnson
Ahead of the UK-Russia Year of Culture 2014, HRH Prince Michael of Kent joined guests at the Study of Russia exhibition at Asia House last night, to celebrate Russian cultural and historical icons through the works of Contemporary artist Annya Sand. The exhibition explores Russia’s architectural, cultural and historical heritage and is open to the public until 8 December.
The exhibition also included a panel discussion on the role of Cultural Diplomacy ahead of the UK-Russia Year of Culture, led by the UK’s leading art critic and columnist, Andrew Graham-Dixon. Closing remarks were made by John Whittingdale OBE MP. Other panellists included John Holden, author of the British Council’s report on Cultural Diplomacy, Kadri Liik of the European Council on Foreign Relations, William MacDougall of the Russian fine art auction house MacDougall’s and Gayane Umerova, Curator of the Study of Russia exhibition. Theodora Clarke, Guest Editor of the UK-Russia Year of Culture magazine, also gave a presentation on the events taking place during the Year of Culture.
Contemporary artist Annya Sand said, “I am overwhelmed by the support I have received for the Study of Russia exhibition. I was delighted to welcome HRH Prince Michael of Kent to the opening of the Study of Russia and hope to welcome more visitors to the exhibition over the next few days. By bringing these artworks to the London art scene, I hope to contribute to the dialogue between Russia and the UK, while providing a cultural and historical context. Study of Russia highlights Russia’s multifaceted culture: from mesmerising cathedrals and ballet dancers, to portraits of Russia’s most iconic and influential leaders. It is my personal belief that continuously presenting the public with foreign cultures in multiple ways helps promote peace through art, and thus fosters better understanding between nations”.
The exhibition has the support of the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, who says, “I would like to welcome the Study of Russia exhibition to London. I hope that it is a fantastic success and would like to take this opportunity to extend my warmest good wishes for the forthcoming UK-Russia Year of Culture”.
The exhibition is proud to partner with The Children’s Burns Trust, of which HRH Prince Michael of Kent is the Royal Patron, and 20 percent of proceeds from the sale of the exhibition will go towards the charity.
Listings information
Annya Sand | Study of Russia | Art exhibition
Public viewing | 4 – 8 December 2013
Wednesday 4 December | 10:00 – 18:00
Thursday 5 December | 10:00 – 18:00
Friday 6 December | 10:00 – 20:00
Saturday 7 December | 10:00 – 18:00
Sunday 8 December | 11:00 – 16:00
Location
Asia House, 63 New Cavendish Street, London, W1G 7LP
Nearest tube stations: Oxford Circus, Regents Park
Notes for Editors
About Annya Sand
Contemporary British artist Annya Sand was born in Kazakhstan, and currently lives and works in London. Sand’s works have been exhibited in leading international galleries. In 2011, she came to prominence during the Tashkent International Contemporary Art Biennale in Uzbekistan. In 2012, her solo exhibition, Abstract Thinking, was featured in the Art Gallery of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, during UZ Art Week. In 2009, she was selected by the Minister of Culture of the Kyrgyz Republic to exhibit her paintings at the Kyrgyz National Museum of Fine Arts and the National Museum of Kazakhstan in the Kasteev State Museum of Arts. In London, she is represented by Tanya Baxter Contemporary.
Sand is keen to promote Central Asian art internationally. In 2010, she worked with the Kasteev State Museum of Arts, Kazakhstan, to help organise Treasures of Kazakhstan, an exhibition held at Christie’s, London, of Kazakh and Russian art on loan from the Museum. Sand is a dedicated supporter of charities that assist children and women. As former co-director of the inaugural Russian, Eastern & Oriental Fine Art Fair in London, Sand has raised thousands of pounds for The Children’s Burns Trust. Most recently, she took part in the Asia Hotel Art Fair and the Asia Contemporary Art Show in Hong Kong. For more information visit www.annyasandart.co.uk
Children’s Burns Trust
The Children’s Burns Trust (CBT) is a UK national charity dedicated to providing rehabilitation support for burned and scald-injured children and their families, as well as prevention and awareness campaigns, for which there is little or no national funding. They make a positive difference in three ways: working with others to raise the awareness of burns and scalds including prevention campaigns, working with NHS professionals to provide direct help and funding for rehabilitation, giving direct financial support to families and hospitals and providing advice on how to access burn-related information. Another important aspect of burn prevention through education is the CBT’s pioneering work in Russia. Over the past 19 years the charity has supported various burns units in Russia, the two main ones being at the Speransky, Hospital No9, Moscow and at Hospital No1, St Petersburg. Others include the burns units in Rostov-on-Don and smaller burns units in the surrounding areas of St Petersburg. The CBT hopes to expand its support to more units across Russia. For more information visit www.cbtrust.org.uk
About UK-Russia Year of Culture
In March 2013, the UK and Russia signed a landmark agreement that will see a major series of arts and culture activities in both countries next year. Foreign Secretary William Hague and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov signed the Year of Culture agreement and designated 2014 as the UK-Russia Year of Culture at a ceremony in London. The Ministers have spoken of the depth and frequency of cultural and creative contact between the two countries and underlined the importance of cultural relations as a means of strengthening ties between individuals, organisations and governments, as well as building bilateral engagement and trust. Foreign Secretary, William Hague said: “The British Council is now working with Russian partners and ministries on a programme of special events in Russia to mark the 2014 Russia UK Year of Culture, which will further deepen our cultural ties and boost people to people links.” Paul de Quincey, Director, British Council Russia says: “While the Russian Embassy in London will be primarily responsible for Russian events in the UK, the British Council will be presenting a comprehensive programme of events and projects in Russia drawn from all four countries of the United Kingdom and representing all the art forms, the creative industries, education, science and language. Celebrating the long cultural tradition of engagement between the two countries, and covering the arts, creative industries, science, education and English, the UK-Russia Year of Culture in 2014 will delight and surprise Russian and UK audiences and illustrate the way in which the relationship continues to develop new, creative and contemporary narratives in both countries.”
Study of Russia exhibition partners:
