January 26 marks the 70th anniversary of the birth of the famous sculptor Vladimir Ivanovich Zhbanov (1954–2012), who left a bright mark in Belarusian art. His bronze sculptures decorate the streets and squares of Minsk and other cities, create an atmosphere of kindness and high aesthetics.
Vladimir Ivanovich Zhbanov was born in the village of Stankovo, Dzerzhinsky district, Minsk region, in a military family. He showed great interest in sculpture in early childhood: he sculpted a lot from plasticine, impressing adults with his crafts. "The obsession with creating little people has never left me alone. In this world of fairy tales, I felt like the happiest of children," the sculptor later noted in conversations about his work. His bright talent led the young man to the Minsk Art College named after A.K. Glebov, from which he graduated in 1973. Then he entered the Belarusian State Theatre and Art Institute at the sculpture department. The teachers were famous artists of our country – Z. Azgur, A. Anikeychik, G. Muromtsev. During his studies, V. Zhbanov became interested in genre sculpture. After graduation, he was called up for military service. He had a chance to serve in the airborne division and the young sculptor ended up in Afghanistan. This period of time influenced his work greatly. Vladimir Zhbanov became the author of the monument to the Hero of the Soviet Union A. Mironenko (Vitebsk), internationalist soldiers (Svetlogorsk, Glubokoe), residents who died during the Great Patriotic War in the village of Uritskoye in the Gomel region. Among the main works of this period are monumental and easel sculptures, small plastic: "Vesnyanka", "Portrait of a brother", "Yesenin", etc.
The real success of V. Zhbanov was brought by participation in the International exhibition "Week of High Technologies" (St. Petersburg, 2001) – in the competition "World of Metal in Art" his composition "Lady on the bench" received a prize in the nomination "Avant-garde solution". It is also recognized as the most emotionally spectacular sculpture. This work of the master, installed in Mikhailovsky Square in Minsk near the railway station in 1998, became the first sculpture of the so-called "park genre" in the capital. A year later, there, next to the trolleybus stop, there is a bronze young man with a sly smile who asks for a light. In 2000, the composition of Mikhailovsky Square was supplemented by another work by V. Zhbanov – "Girl with an umbrella".
The sculptures by Vladimir Zhbanov also decorate the square in front of the Komarovsky market: "Photographer", "Lady with a dog", "Horse" (all 2001).
In 2007, the composition "Carriage" appeared in Freedom Square, dedicated to the Minsk governor Z.Ya. Korneev, who did a lot for the development of Minsk. The master's works decorate not only Minsk, but also other cities of Belarus and abroad: Bobruisk, Lida, Mogilev, Vitebsk, Gomel, Molodechno, the German city of Dusseldorf, etc.
There is something amazing in the alive Zhbanov’s sculptures frozen in bronze. They give an opportunity to touch elusive beauty, find yourself in an atmosphere of joy and celebration.
The well-known sculptor dreamed of new projects, excitedly talked about his future heroes, but, unfortunately, prematurely passed away in January 2012. The wonderful master, the tireless worker, is gone, but his wonderful sculptures remain, which delight, excite, surprise and affect us.
The information about Vladimir Ivanovich Zhbanov, bibliographic information about documents devoted to his life and work can be found in the electronic resources of the National Library of Belarus: the electronic catalog and the online encyclopedia "Belarus in persons and events". One of the issues of the author's programme by Aleksander Domoratsky "The Light of a Distant Star. Sculptor Vladimir Zhbanov" is dedicated to the talented artist.
The material was prepared by the Research Department of Bibliography.
