Delhi Set to Host a Retrospective of Renowned Artist Nikas Safronov

Art is a universal language connecting people across borders and other manmade divides. This is most evident in the work of renowned Russian artist Nikolay Stepanovich Safronov, better known as Nikas Safronov. His art will be displayed in a retrospective exhibition in December in Delhi’s Lalit Kala Akademi, followed by one in Mumbai. Given the title of ‘People’s Artist of Russia’, Safronov has held over 320 exhibitions in Russia and abroad, in the span of a decade. This exhibition has been brought to life with the support of Rosneft Oil Company in the furtherance of their aim to use art as an effective tool for strengthening international relations. Safronov explains, “The exhibitions in India are aimed at developing cultural dialogue and enhancing mutual understanding between our countries. Entry to the exhibition is free and I hope this encourages many people to visit. I believe art is the best platform for public diplomacy.”

Over a long and distinguished career, Safronov has made a name for himself around the world, with his works being part of personal collections of royal family members, spiritual leaders, influential international political figures and numerous global celebrities. At the exhibition, one can browse through more than 100 paintings, covering different periods of his creative career. It’s an opportunity to witness up close the evolution of his artistic style, which he calls Dream Vision.

Safronov teaches at the Russian Academy of Arts, and is professor and dean of the Faculty of Culture and Arts at Ulyanovsk State University, as well as professor of the Department of Drawing and Painting at the Russian State University named after A.N. Kosygin. He studied at the Grekov Rostov Art School and worked as a theatre designer in the Lithuanian city of Panevėžys, before settling in Vilnius and later Moscow. In the late 1980s, he gained prominence as a surrealist and experimental artist, and later, as a portrait painter. His portraits include those of celebrities like Catherine Deneuve, Audrey Tautou, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Pierre Richard, Mireille Mathieu, Sophia Loren, Alain Delon, Gérard Depardieu, Robert De Niro, Jack Nicholson, Sean Connery, Meryl Streep, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Elton John, Mick Jagger and many others. He specialized in reinterpreting these well-known figures as cultural metaphors. “By endowing the classic image with symbolic meanings, I turn the canvas into a metaphor, to convey my thoughts,” he says. Safronov has dabbled in a variety of experimental styles, combining medieval austerity with baroque excess, photorealism with symbolic layers, and cubist forms with the surrealistic interplay of images and meanings. Elements of world art are distinctly visible in his oeuvre, including gothic hermeticism, pop art and avant-garde movements, yet his style is completely his own. The artist says, “In a sense, any significant painting is a portrait, or sometimes even a self-portrait, of an era, a place, an idea or the very spirit of the times.”

‘Dream Vision’, his unique artistic style, is based on classical painting, heavily relying on imagination, intuition, subconscious associations and unconscious sensations. In 2011, he sold the painting ‘Dreams of Italy’, made in this style, at a Sotheby’s auction for 106,000 USD. The works on display in Delhi include classical paintings and landscapes replete with symbolism. A new series of works made especially for this showcase incorporates Safronov’s respect for India’s history and admiration for Indian culture, religion and mythology. India’s vast cultural heritage, its architecture, mythology and iconic places have all served as inspiration. The exhibition will be divided into 15 thematic zones, each revealing a unique facet of the artist’s creative work.

He shares, “The main concept of the exhibition is the synergy of traditional artistic techniques and advanced digital technologies. Using artificial intelligence and modern multimedia equipment that bring the paintings to life, a new world of contemporary Russian art is made available to the viewers. They can ‘read’ the complex philosophical and cultural codes of Russia in a universal language of emotion.” “We live in an era of creating a multipolar world, and I believe art must also become multipolar — accessible and understandable to everyone,” he further adds. “Recently, contemporary art has in some ways become ‘elite’. It’s out of reach for most, including out of reach of one’s understanding. I want to change that. To create an alternative to western cultural domination. I am certain that such initiatives contribute to building strong humanitarian ties between nations, promote mutual understanding and unity. And modern technologies help me achieve this.”

For his recent work, Safronov uses artificial intelligence as a full-fledged co-creator. But the technology does not replace the artist — it merely assists him. “It helps highlight key elements, animate compositions and create the feeling that you are inside the painting and not simply looking at it. Digital technology helps to fully convey my ideas, thoughts and philosophy by reinterpreting traditional classical themes and canons,” he shares. The viewer begins interacting with the art through a traditional painting before moving toward its digital continuation. Safronov adds, “The sound design is an art form in itself. It becomes a powerful and precise instrument of audience engagement. A specially developed spatial audio system surrounds visitors from all sides. This sound has direction and intelligence, as it subtly guides the viewer’s attention and enhances the emotional impact of the artwork, reaching the heart and strengthening the meaning of each artistic piece.”

About showcasing his work in India, he says, “It is a great honour for me to present my art in India — a country with an ancient and rich history and culture that has repeatedly inspired me, that for centuries has given material for reflection and creativity to many artists, including Russian ones. My exhibitions in New Delhi and Mumbai are my way of strengthening the connection between our people, showing the beauty of Russia, India and the whole world through my art. I am deeply grateful to my official partner — Rosneft — for sharing my values and helping demonstrate to Indian audiences that art speaks a universal language of positive emotion, capable of overcoming any borders and uniting people.” Apart from Rosneft’s support of Safronov, the company has long pushed for humanitarian cooperation through cultural programs. This includes taking the Mariinsky Theatre tour to Qatar, the Sretensky Monastery Choir to China, and bringing Tatiana Navka’s ice show to India. Safronov’s exhibition is the next link in this chain. The flagship of the Russian oil industry, Rosneft is one of the world’s largest oil and gas companies. Its vision is to support numerous projects across fields including amateur and professional sports, as well as scientific, educational and cultural initiatives.

The exhibition at Lalit Kala Akademi (New Delhi) will be open from December 7 to 21, 2025, and the exhibition in Mumbai will run from December 25, 2025 to January 15, 2026.

Noor Anand Chawla pens lifestyle articles for various publications and her blog www.nooranandchawla.com.