Nikolay Almanov was born in the village of Zapolnye Pertnury in the Hill-Mari district of the Republic of Mari El in 1953.
After high school, Almanov entered the Kozmodemyansk Art School. In 1984, he graduated from the Yoshkar-Ola Art College.
Nikolay Almanov does not adhere to the classical canon and tradition. His art is more akin to the school of naive or primitive art. Almanov’s works are simple and easy to understand.
In his work, Almanov strives towards openness and sincerity. His themes are everyday scenes from life in Mari villages in all shape and form. The works solicit the observer with their authenticity.
The characters of Almanov’s works are ordinary village-people who experience the same woes and joys as the author. Almanov’s works mirror his own uneasy fate in life.
Source: mariuver.wordpress.com
Translated by Kerkko Paananen
