A painter and graphic artist Izmail Yefimov is a People’s Artist of Mari El, a member of the Artists’ Union of Russia and an Honored Artist of Russia. He also designed the State Emblem and flag of the Republic. At the beginning of his career, the graduate of the Kazan Art College and the Surikov Moscow Art Institute worked in a realistic style, often turning to genre painting.
From plot realism, Ismail Yefimov moved on to abstract symbolic works with floral motifs, anthropomorphic and zoomorphic images, and semi-fantastic characters. At the end of the 1980s, Yefimov, a recognized master of realism, began a profound study of folk art. He first took an interest in Mari, and then in Finno-Ugric mythology. The knowledge he had accumulated, his observations and a plethora of Finno-Ugric festivals held in Mari El at that time needed to be processed and expressed. He wanted to convey everything that became so dear to his soul and mind.
From plot realism, Ismail Yefimov moved on to abstract symbolic works with floral motifs, anthropomorphic and zoomorphic images, and semi-fantastic characters. At the end of the 1980s, Yefimov, a recognized master of realism, began a profound study of folk art. He first took an interest in Mari, and then in Finno-Ugric mythology. The knowledge he had accumulated, his observations and a plethora of Finno-Ugric festivals held in Mari El at that time needed to be processed and expressed. He wanted to convey everything that became so dear to his soul and mind.
