THREAD
Half a century ago, a convoy of black Zil limousines made their way on a five hour journey to Kostroma, a city to the north east of Moscow. Among the passengers was a former coal miner from County Durham, part of a delegation visiting as part of a 'twin town' initiative.
Half a century ago, a convoy of black Zil limousines made their way on a five hour journey to Kostroma, a city to the north east of Moscow. Among the passengers was a former coal miner from County Durham, part of a delegation visiting as part of a 'twin town' initiative.
As the road threaded through mile after mile of forest, the miner happened to remark to his Russian host that the birch trees reminded him of tall, elegant women. He nodded and turned to another passenger in the car, saying something in Russian which the miner didn't understand.
Nothing more was said. The journey proceeded, and the group arrived in Kostroma, where a series of civic receptions were held to celebrate the twin town arrangement. But that's another story.
Three weeks after arriving home at his modest council house in a County Durham village, there was a knock on the miner's door - a delivery from Russia.
When the box was opened, in it was a perfectly executed image of a woman formed in birch bark.
When the box was opened, in it was a perfectly executed image of a woman formed in birch bark.
It transpired that, travelling in the Zil with the officials, had been one of the region's foremost artists. The piece of art had pride of place in the miner's house for years, until he died. It was then passed to me, his grandson.
Ever since then, I've wondered about the artist - who he was, and what other work he might have produced. 
There's not much to go on...
Any help from anyone who knows anything about late 20th century Russian art would be much appreciated!
