Biography of Zorikto Dorzhiev
Zorikto Dorzhiev was born in Ulan-Ude, in a family of professional artists. After graduating from the School of Culture and Art, he entered the Krasnoyarsk Art institute. After the institute, Dorzhiev trained in the creative workshops of the Academy of Arts. He has studied under tutelage of Professor A.M. Znak from 1996-2002 and then, until 2005, with branches of the Russian Academy of Arts in the Urals, Siberia and Russia's Far East.
The artist masterfully combines the techniques of the Russian academic school of painting, the influences of modern European Art with Buddhist iconography and philosophy to convey the flavor of nomadic life in contemporary context. A central theme in his art is the image of the nomad as contemplator, artist and philosopher. Zorikto is a versatile artist who is constantly experimenting in new media and genres in art. In addition to his paintings and graphic drawings, he creates sculptures, video projects and digital art.
Zorikto has emerged as one of Russia's most acclaimed contemporary artists since Khankhalaev Gallery has represented Zorikto in 2005. His solo exhibitions have taken place in the Russian Museum (St. Petersburg), Museum of Oriental Art (Moscow), in Victoria and Albert Museum (London), in the «Art Gallery» of the Council of Europe (Strasbourg, Brussels), in Neumunster Abbey (Luxembourg) and Tretyakov State National Gallery (Moscow). Russian Plenipotentiary Ambassadors opened Zorikto's exhibitions in London and Luxembourg.
In 2019, Zorikto Dorzhiev has had personal exhibition “The New Steppe”, part of a parallel program of 58th Venice biennale. It takes place at St. George Anglican church and showcases paintings and sculptures which represented the themes of migration of people and ideas in a modern world. In the same year, he has participated in a group exhibition at Brussels Art center BOZAR with an installation project.
Furthermore, Khankhalaev Gallery participated in the Christie's annual charity auction held jointly with the Tibet House with painting «Nirvana 3S»» by Zorikto. The exhibition «Steppe Nirvana» was held in Tibet House, founded by Professor Robert Thurman as one of the most important Buddhist centers in the US. The board of trustees include Yoko Ono, Martin Scorsese and Uma Thurman.
Zorikto has also worked as a set and costume designer on the blockbuster movie 'Mongol', directed by Sergei Bodrov. This film won Nika, the main annual national film award in Russia, and was an Oscar nominee. In 2014, Zorikto was nominated for Nika and received White Elephant Award by the Guild of Film Critics of Russia for his work in the movie «Heavenly Wives of Meadow Maris» directed by Alexei Fedorchenko.
Khankhalaev Gallery has displayed Zorikto at various international art fairs, such as Art Taipei, Texas Contemporary, Dallas Art fair, KIAF, Context Art Miami, Art New York, Art Stage Singapore, Art Jacarta and many others. Zorkito's work can be found in private collections in Russia, the USA, Germany and Australia, Canada, France, Great Britain, Latvia, Belgium, and he counts ex-German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder, actress Uma Thurman, and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso among his collectors.