The collection comprises works by our founder, artist Boris Oshkukov. His artistic legacy is preserved across two institutions: the gallery itself and the St. Petersburg Museum of Florentine Mosaic. Both are now united under the OBL FOUNDATION for Monumental-Decorative Art and Abstract Sculpture, which holds key examples of Oshkukov’s work.
Roman Mosaic Panels
Boris Oshkukov’s creative journey began with Roman mosaics. His earliest experiments (2000–2007), developed at the Stieglitz Academy in St. Petersburg, included both replicas of classical masterpieces and original designs in stone tessellation. The Foundation’s archive holds over 20 decorative panels.
Oshkukov’s first abstract sketches were created in 2005. Between 2006 and 2009, he held an unprecedented experiment translating abstract art into Florentine mosaic techniques. This period yielded over 200 panels.
Oshkukov’s experiments with metal produced two compact series: Elements of Nature (2007–2008) and Self-Realization (2009). The former was created in collaboration with Russian sculptor Pavel Shevchenko (Associate Member of the Russian Academy of Arts), featuring mineral inlays. The latter, a nine-piece cycle marking the artist’s anniversary, includes the sculpture Self-Portrait.
Oshkukov’s shift to wood marked a turning point—both for his practice and for abstractionism itself. His 2010 Logs series, conceived as “a reimagining of urban park spaces,” was followed by relief panels (2013–2020). These works, later expanded into freestanding wooden sculptures, transformed the modular logic of Roman mosaics into an entirely new medium.
From 2018 to 2020, Oshkukov created small yet architecturally scalable abstract sculptures in optical glass, marble, granite, and jasper. These works resonate with 20th-century design traditions, especially with Art Deco.
