Vasily Vasilyevich Konovalenko (1929-1989) - Ukrainian and Russian sculptor and jeweler, creator of a series of unique sculptural miniatures in the genre of stone-cutting and jewelry art (volumetric Florentine mosaic), as well as outstanding works of pure jewelry art (in the technique of cloisonné enamel). In his youth, he worked as a decorator, and a classical sculptor, and a theater production designer. The artist has created an extensive gallery of folk types and characters.
By 1959, the first masterpieces of stone-cutting sculpture appeared, but Vasily Konovalenko was not given the opportunity to exhibit his works. In 1973 (the artist is 44 years old), the first personal exhibition of his sculptures - stone-cutting art (before that - only scenographic exhibitions) took place. The exhibition at the Russian Museum became a sensation, and Konovalenko′s works were purchased by the Gokhran of Russia as a national treasure. Konovalenko was twice awarded gold medals at VDNKh.
He moves to Moscow. However, the unfounded criminal prosecution of Konovalenko begins. The sculptor is “hinted” that a unique collection of his works (estimated by foreign experts at $ 2 million) should be “donated” to the state. What he does - and only then the persecution ends. The position of a lone artist led to a clash with the authorities, Vasily was demanded to create values for the bureaucratic elite, political sculptural portraits of Brezhnev, Lenin. etc. The artist was forced to emigrate to America in 1981.