Yuri Gorbachev, widely regarded as the brightest star in the constellation of Russian artists who came to the United States from the former USSR, will exhibit his works at Middleburg's Byrne Gallery. The artist will meet guests and patrons at the opening of his exhibit on October 11th from 5-8 pm. The show runs untill October 31st.

Gorbachev's work reflects his great love for Russia, where he began his highly regarded career in ceramics. Twenty years later, when he began to work in oil on canvas, he received even greater acclaim.

His visits to the Far East have greatly influenced his paintings in both style and technique. New York Times writer Carey Goldberg describes Gorbachev's work as radiating a joie de vivre that acts as a tonic on all who see it.

"Gorbachev's art is uplifting not only with its beauty but with an exuberance as potent as the blooming of northern plants in summer," Goldberg wrote.

The Byrne Gallery exhibit will include paintings that have been shown at The Moscow Museum of Modern Art, The National Fine Art Museum of the Ukraine, The Russian Museum of Kiev, The Rudana Museum of Bali and at The Joint Gorbachev/Chagall Exhibition in Prague.

Gorbachev's career has flourished in New York City, and his solo exhibits across the U.S., in Europe, Asia and Australia have been exceptionally successful. His work is now represented in the permanent collections of the Louvre, the Kremlin Museum, the Tsarskoye Selo {part of the Hermitage Collection, the United Nations and the White House. Many important collectors include Gorbachev's work in their collections.

Gorbachev extensive travels during the past eight years have had a notable impact on his artistic development as his style moved from naïve to more intricate work. His use of a sophisticated technique in which gold, copper and formulated lacquers are layered over oil on canvas is described as unique and closely resembling a ceramic technique.

Rizzoli International, the prestigious art book publishers, published "The Art of Yuri Gorbachev" in 1998, an honor enjoyed by few Russian artists.

The public is welcome to attend the exhibit opening where Mr. Gorbachev will sign his recently published book.