On Thursday evening a solo art exhibition will open in Moscow. It is unusual in part because the painter just turned 9 years old. And because he has some physical disabilities. And because he has autism. But it's truly unusual because of the extraordinary quality of the work.
Markus Martinovich began to paint at the age of 6. His mother Natalya said that he suddenly asked for an easel, paper and paint, and then asked his mother to stand for a portrait. He painted "Mother's Shadow in the Window."
His mother described Markus' creative process. "He'll say, 'I want to paint …' and then he begins to think and imagine. He cooks it up inside for several days before he's ready to paint."
Almost 40 paintings will be on exhibit at the Zeppelin Gallery for a week, but on Thursday evening they will be auctioned off by actor Gosha Kutsenko. Some of the proceeds will go to his foundation to help children with cerebral palsy. Natalya Martinovich hopes that these exhibition sales will become the norm — and not just so she can share her son's talent. "Any disabled person with a talent should be able to use it and earn a living."
Zeppelin Gallery. Novinsky Mall, 21 Novinsky Bulvar. 495-797-2077. Opening and auction Thursday at 8 p.m. Show runs until Sept. 10.
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