Gena Ivanov was born in Vladimir into a military family and therefore grew up in All Russia, the folmer Soviet Union. Gena remembers his childhood in the Far East and in Belarus. He began to draw at school but at that time was more interested in modern dance, which took most of his energies. He then went into the army where he served two years as a military artist.

"Art was now firmly in my soul, I rushed to art school and studied at Bobruisk Art School where I graduated with a distinction. From there I worked in a co-operative, it was the early 90's and a time of extravagant prices, high inflation and empty shops. I spent my time painting landscapes, while the subjects were not inspiring it gave me a chance to perfect my skills and to look for new techniques."

Gena took a residencey and later worked for himself in his own studio supporting himself by painting pictures and as an interior designer. In 2000 he was elected to the Artist's Union in Belarus. In 2004 he came to work in England, where he now has a studio in a small shopping street in Norwich, which he also runs as a gallery.

To purchase work by Gena online please click here to be taken to his listing on i2popupgallery.com