Stories in Stone: The Enchanted Gem Carvings of Vasily Konovalenko

About this book

Vasily Konovalenkos unique dynamic and theatrical sculptures stand alone in the gem-carving worldbawdy but not salacious political but not diplomatic boisterous and exuberant yet occasionally sensitive. Stories in Stone offers the first comprehensive treatment of the life of this little-known Russian artist and the remarkable history of his wonderful sculptures. Part art catalogue and part life history Stories in Stone tells the tale of Konovalenkos impressive works explaining their conception creation and symbolism. Each handcrafted figure depicts a scene from life in the Soviet Uniona bowman hunting snow geese a woman reposing in a hot spring surrounded by ice peasants spinning wool a pair of gulag prisoners sawing lumberpainstakingly rendered in precious stones and metals. The materials used to make the figurines are worth millions of dollars but as cultural artifacts the sculptures are priceless. Author Stephen Nash draws upon oral history and archival research to detail the life of their creator revealing a rags-to-riches and life-imitates-art narrative full of Cold War intrigue Communist persecution and capitalist exploitation. Augmented by Richard M. Wickers exquisite and revelatory photographs of sixty-five Konovalenko sculptures from museums state agencies and private collections around the world Stories in Stone is a visually stunning glimpse into a unique corner of Russian art and cultural history the craft and science of gem carving and the life of a Russian artist and immigrant who loved people everywhere. Co-published with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science home to the most significant collection of Russian gem-carving sculptures by Vasily Konovalenko in the world.