Modern Figural Terra Cotta Head Sculpture by Alexander Ney

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Stunning, rare Alexander Ney terra cotta head sculpture from the 1970s. Measures 12" High by 9" wide and 9" deep. … Read more Stunning, rare Alexander Ney terra cotta head sculpture from the 1970s. Measures 12" High by 9" wide and 9" deep. In excellent condition. Signed on the bottom.

Artist Bio:

ALEXANDER NEY (Russian, born in 1939 in Leningrad, Russia) is a Russian-born American sculptor and painter known for his distinctive style, which blends surrealism, primitivism, and modernist abstraction. His work is characterized by intricate perforations, textured surfaces, and an exploration of ancient artistic traditions reinterpreted through a contemporary lens.

Early Life and Education
Alexander Ney was born in 1939 in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Soviet Union. From an early age, he demonstrated exceptional artistic talent, leading him to study at prestigious Soviet art institutions, including the Leningrad Secondary Art School affiliated with the Repin Institute of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture. He later attended the Art Academy in Tallinn, Estonia, and the Moscow Art Institute, where he was exposed to both classical and modernist influences.

Despite Ney’s formal training in the Soviet art system, his non-conformist tendencies and experimental approaches placed him at odds with the rigid doctrines of Socialist Realism. His refusal to adhere to state-mandated artistic norms led to difficulties in exhibiting his work within the USSR.

Emigration and Career in the West
In 1972, Ney emigrated from the Soviet Union, seeking artistic freedom. He first settled in France before moving to the United States in 1974, where he established himself in New York City. His move to the West allowed him to fully embrace his artistic vision without political constraints.

In the United States, Ney gained recognition for his unique sculptural style, particularly his terracotta works punctuated with intricate perforations and evocative textures. His pieces often resemble ancient artifacts, organic forms, or futuristic structures, reflecting his deep engagement with both history and modernism. Ney also explored painting and drawing, further developing his surrealistic and abstract themes.

Ney's art is marked by a fascination with the aesthetics of ancient civilizations, modern abstraction, and psychological depth. His sculptural forms recall tribal and archaeological artifacts while incorporating a highly personal and innovative visual language. The intricate detailing and tactile quality of his works invite viewers to explore their surfaces closely, evoking a sense of mystery and timelessness.

Notable collections of Ney’s sculptures, paintings and drawings are held at: Museum Beelden aan Zee, containing the largest collection of international sculpture in the Netherlands, The State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia, The State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia, The State Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, Moscow, Russia, The Moscow Museum of Modern Art, Moscow, Russia, The National Centre for Contemporary Arts, Moscow, Russia, The ART4.RU Museum of Contemporary Russian Art, Moscow, Russia, The Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University, USA, The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, USA, The Yeshiva University Museum, New York, USA, The Mead Art Museum, Massachusetts, USA, The McMullen Museum of Art, Massachusetts, USA.

Alexander Ney continues to create and inspire, leaving an enduring impact on the world of modern and contemporary art. See less