Production Designer
Born in 1967. Began work in the workshop of the Buryat sculptor Vasiliev in Ulan-Ude. In 1988, enrolled at an arts academy, studying with the artists Golovnitsky and Ishkhanov. In 2000, following his first personal exhibition in Irkutsk, a new name appeared in the world of art – Dashi Namdakov. His sculptures and graphics are a combination of innovation and the ancient traditions of Buryatia. His work created a sensation at his first personal exhibition in 2000, and he became synonymous with modern ethnic and ritual sculpture. The subjects of Dashi’s works were, at first, the heroes of Buryat and other oriental myths and legends. Soon, however, works such as “Steppe Nefertiti”, “Zaan”, “The Raven” and others, he turned over a new page in his creative biography, showing global images in his work that are common to all mankind. The materials with which the artist works are astonishingly varied: bronze, silver, gold, mammoth tusks and even horsehair.
The new trend developed by Dashi could only appear in Russia, a multi-national country with poly-ethnic roots, but also with an established European artistic school that is directed towards a history of art that is shared by all of mankind and occupies a very specific place in the world’s cultural development. Dashi’s “Masks” and “Actor” sculptures won awards at the Vampilov All-Russian Festival of Modern Drama (Irkutsk, 2002, 2003) and the “Master” sculpture also received an award at the International Festival of Documentary Cinema in Irkutsk (2002). In 2003, Dashi Namdakov received the Silver Medal of the Russian Arts Academy. Dashi’s works can be found in the collections of the State Hermitage Museum, the State Museum of the East and in museums in numerous countries around the globe. Sculptures by Namdakov can also be found in the personal collection of the current president of Russia.