Neklyuenko Nikolay - Ukrainian artist
Neklyuenko Nikolai (also - Neklyuenko Nikolay; 1929-2011) – a distinguished Soviet and Ukrainian painter whose oeuvre, marked by warmth and a bright energy, left a significant imprint on the artistic chronicle of the nation. A member of the Union of Artists of the USSR since 1972, Neklyuenko navigated a challenging life path before fully dedicating himself to art.
Nikolai was born on October 2, 1929, in the village of Lytvynivka, Luhansk Oblast, into a large peasant family. His inclination towards drawing manifested early, but the circumstances of wartime and post-war times made their adjustments. After completing seven grades of rural school, young Nikolai entered the Voroshilovgrad Art College in 1944. However, facing financial difficulties, he was compelled to interrupt his studies and work as a timberman in a mine to earn the means to return to his dream.
Perseverance and determination allowed Neklyuenko Nikolay to graduate with honors from the Voroshilovgrad Art College in 1951, where his mentors included N.K. Levchenko, V.S. Kravchenko, and I.V. Alekseev. The next step was enrollment in the Kharkiv Art Institute. Once again, difficult financial circumstances forced the artist to take an academic leave, which he dedicated to working as a layout artist. In 1958, Nikolai Neklyuenko successfully graduated from the institute with a specialization in theater and decorative painting, where his skills were refined by such teachers as Professor B.V. Kosarev, M.N. Rybalchenko, and L.S. Bratchenko.
After graduating, Neklyuenko was assigned to the Chernihiv Regional Music and Drama Theater named after Taras Shevchenko as a production designer. In 1959, the artist moved to Luhansk (Voroshilovgrad), where he worked at the art fund of Ukraine, actively engaging in the artistic life of the region. From the same year, he became a regular participant in city, regional, republican, all-Union, and international exhibitions. His contribution to the development of culture was noted by his inclusion in the delegation for creative ties between the Luhansk region and Tatarstan.
In 1962, Nikolai Neklyuenko became a candidate member, and in 1972, a full member of the Union of Artists of the USSR, which recognized his professional mastery and significant contribution to Soviet art.
In 1980, due to his wife's illness, the artist moved to Crimea and continued to work in the workshops of the Art Fund of Ukraine in Sevastopol. In 1999, Nikolai Pavlovich retired, remaining a freelance artist and a member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine.
The main genres in Neklyuenko's work were portrait, landscape, and still life. His works were distinguished by their sincerity and deep penetration into the inner world of man and nature. The artist constantly experimented with textures and materials, creating works not only on traditional canvas and cardboard but also on particleboard, silk, and wood, which gave his works a special uniqueness. Despite his adherence to a realistic vision, Neklyuenko boldly used the expressive possibilities of form and an expressive brushstroke.
Art critic Rudolf Podufaly noted the artist's modesty and high demands on his own work. Nikolai Neklyuenko's works, imbued with his warmth and bright energy, reflected his deep reflections on life. For his creative contribution, the artist's name was entered into the Book of Famous People of Crimea.
The works of Nikolai Pavlovich Neklyuenko are held in the museum collections of Kyiv, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Simferopol, and Sevastopol, as well as in numerous private collections in the USA, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia, Ukraine, and many other countries. The artist passed away on December 10, 2011, in Sevastopol, leaving behind a rich artistic legacy that continues to delight viewers with its sincerity and mastery. His famous saying, "An artist is only an artist when he is unique," became a kind of credo for his creative life.
