BIOGRAPHY
Vitaliy Yermolayev - Artist, Architect, Designer
Early Life & Education
Vitaliy Yermolayev was born in Kazan, where he began his artistic journey. He received his art education at the Kazan Art School, developing his foundational skills in classical painting and drawing techniques.
In 1973, he graduated from the prestigious Ilya Repin Institute for Painting, Sculpture and Architecture at the Academy of Arts in Leningrad, one of the most respected art institutions in Russia. This classical education provided him with a solid foundation in traditional painting techniques.
Continuing his education, in 1983 he completed a design course at the Latvian Academy of Arts, expanding his artistic repertoire to include modern design principles and architectural concepts.
Professional Journey
Since 1973, Yermolayev has lived and worked in Riga, immersing himself in the rich cultural heritage of Latvia. In 2004, he moved to Jūrmala, where he continues his creative work as a painter, architect, and designer.
His artistic practice spans multiple disciplines, allowing him to create works that bridge traditional painting with contemporary design and architectural concepts. This multidisciplinary approach has been fundamental to the development of his unique "Inner Light" technique.
The author of the innovative technology Vitaly Yermolayev, Latvian Republic patent, Trademark INNER LIGHT. Has been working in the area of arts' synthesis INNER LIGHT since the year of 1998.
INNER LIGHT
The Innovative Technique
The Revolutionary Technique
A distinctive feature of Vitaliy Yermolayev's paintings is the unique technique he employs in their creation. The artist calls it "Inner Light." Under special lighting conditions, his works begin to glow, and instead of the painting visible to the viewer at first, another version appears—one that was seemingly hidden before.
Day & Night Effects
The artist has successfully combined his new fluorescent technique with the best traditions of classical painting. These works possess what can be described as "day" and "night" effects. In some pieces, the differences between these versions are subtle, while in others—depending on the artist's imagination—they can be strikingly different.
Gradual Transformation
The transition from the day to the night version can be very gradual, offering the viewer a vast array of transformative imagery. This creates an interactive experience where viewers can discover new details and perspectives as the lighting changes.
Patented Innovation
He has been granted a patent for the fluorescent paint composition used in his artworks, as well as for the method of its application. This patented technology allows the paintings to react to different lighting conditions, creating an entirely new visual experience that transcends traditional painting boundaries.
Romantic Associations
Vitaliy Yermolayev's paintings are rich with romantic associations. Many of his works serve as a kind of bridge connecting the conscious and the subconscious, creating a unique artistic experience that invites viewers to explore deeper layers of meaning and emotion.
In 2004 a permanent gallery –Theatre of ART Residence INNER LIGHT, was opened in the Latvian resort Jurmala. There are a lot of publications and references concerning this Theatre. The most common response of tourists from different countries is: "We have never seen such art before!" Starting with the year of 2005 the gallery became one of the places of interest of Jurmala town.
In 2009-2017 Vitaliy and his Theatre of the Luminous Paintings INNER LIGHT made a journey called "…E L'ANIMA MIA" ("…And My Soul"). An exposition was exhibited in different galleries of Cannes, Monaco, Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart, Vaticano, Positano, Terracina, Palmanova, Trento, Campione d' Italia, Karlovy Vary, Nice, Paris, Besier, Tarragona, Gandia, Strasboug, Moscow, Tyumen, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Riga, Liepaja, Valmiera, Tervete, Jurmala.
Participates in international exhibitions of contemporary art: ART Monaco '11, Senza Confine (Trento), ART FAIR Riga-2016. Riga, Latvia, Salon Art Shopping au Carrousel du Louvre. 2016. Paris, France. Salon du Design –CREA 2014, 2014. Nice, France.
EXHIBITIONS
Personal and Group Exhibitions
Personal Exhibitions
- 04.2023-10.2024. "KAZALIŠTE SVJETLEĆIH SLIKA" / "INNER LIGHT" / "THEATRE OF LUMINOUS PAINTINGS" – Vitalija Jermolajeva. Crkva Nuncijata, Orebić, Croatia.
- 2018. Vilces muiža. Latvia.
- 03-04.2017 "Two beginning" – Project international: "Theater of luminous paintings INNER LIGHT of Vitaliy Yermolayev: Paris, Strasbourg (France), Tarragona (Barselona), Gandia (Valensia) Spain.
- 2016-2017. Theater of luminous paintings INNER LIGHT of Vitaliy Yermolayev. Valmiera City Museum, Latvia.
- 2016. Theater of luminous paintings INNER LIGHT of Vitaliy Yermolayev. Tyumen, Russia.
- 2016. Theater of luminous paintings INNER LIGHT of Vitaliy Yermolayev. Bures sur Yvette, France.
- 2016. Theater of luminous paintings INNER LIGHT "…And soul my", Art gallery "Dresden". Moscow, Russia.
- 2016. Theater of luminous paintings INNER LIGHT "…And soul my", Moscow, Theater "At the Nikitsky Gate". Moscow, Russia.
- 2015. Theater of luminous paintings INNER LIGHT of Vitaliy Yermolayev, World Tatar Congress. Paris, France.
- 2015-2016. Theater of luminous paintings INNER LIGHT "…And soul my", Museum of the Millennium of Kazan. Kazan, Russia.
- 2015-2016. Theater of luminous paintings INNER LIGHT of Vitaliy Yermolayev, Tervete, Latvia.
- 2015. Theater of luminous paintings INNER LIGHT of Vitaliy Yermolayev. Liepaja, Latvia.
- 2014-2015. Theater of luminous paintings INNER LIGHT "…And soul my", Elagina-Ostrovsky Palace Museum. Sankt-Petersburg, Russia.
- 2004-2017. Theater of luminous painting INNER LIGHT, Art gallery "ART Residence INNER LIGHT". A series of exhibition. Jurmala, Latvia.
- 2011-2014. Theater of luminous painting INNER LIGHT, Art gallery "Gleznu teatris", Galleria Riga. Riga, Latvia.
- 2012-2013. Art Gallery Theater of luminous painting "INNER LIGHT". A series of exhibitions. Art Gallery "Templis". Riga, Latvia.
- 2010-2015. Permanent exposition "Ships in Profound Depths of the Ocean" in the Town's Museum of Jurmala, Jurmala, Latvia.
- 2013. Theater of luminous painting "INNER LIGHT" "E L'ANIMA MIA", the State Museum of Aluksne. Aluksne, Latvia.
- 2013. Art gallery PLAZA. Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic.
- 2012. Art gallery Grand Hotel PUPP. Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic.
- 2011-2012. Musical-poetical theatrical play 'And Heaven Opens for The Love…' Directed according the poem of M.Lermontov 'Demon'. Riga, Latvia
- 2011. Musical-poetical theatrical play 'And Heaven Opens for The Love…' Directed according the poem of M.Lermontov 'Demon' 2nd international festival Cultural Dialog'. Trento, Italia.
- 2010. "…And My Soul'- Riga art space. Riga, Latvia.
- 2009. Theater of luminous painting "INNER LIGHT" "E L'ANIMA MIA", Association France Bays Baltes. Cannes, France.
- 2009. Theater of luminous painting "INNER LIGHT" "E L'ANIMA MIA", Galleria La Pigna (Vaticano), Unione Cattolica Artisti Italiani. Vaticano.
- 2009-2010. Theater of luminous pictures "INNER LIGHT" "E L'ANIMA MIA", Parrocchia di Santa Maria Assunta. A series of exhibitions. Positano, Italia.
- 2009-2011. Theater of luminous pictures "INNER LIGHT" "E L'ANIMA MIA". A series of exhibitions. Terracina, Italia.
- 2009. Theater of luminous pictures "INNER LIGHT" "E L'ANIMA MIA". Palmanova, Italia.
- 2009-2010. Theatre of Luminous paintings 'INNER LIGHT' E "L'ANIMA MIA": Karlovi Vari, Munchen, Shtuttgart, St. Petersburg, – Projekt international. A series of exhibitions.
- 2009. Theater of luminous painting "INNER LIGHT" "E L'ANIMA MIA", Cart-Wright of Peter and Paul Fortress, the State Museum of the History of St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Russia.
- 2008. Theater of luminous paining "INNER LIGHT", Museum of the History of Religion, St.Petersburg, Russia.
- 2004-2017. "Theater of luminous painting "INNER LIGHT" of Vitaly Yermolajev". ART Residence "Inner Light". A series of exhibitions. Jurmala, Latvia.
- 2006. «Music of Silence», Central ART House. Riga, Latvia.
- 2004. Theater of luminous paining "INNER LIGHT", Sloss Horst, Essen, Germany.
- 2003. "The House of the Blackheads". Riga, Latvia.
- 2003. "Fluorescent Art of V. Yermolayev", Art Gallery "Natalie Boldyreff. 2003. Paris, France.
- 2002. "Fluorescent Art of V. Yermolayev", Gallery "Center-M". Moscow, Russia.
- 1998-2003. "Fluorescent Art of V. Yermolayev", Center of Fluorescent Art "Rezidence RP". A series of exhibitions. Riga, Latvia.
- 2000. "Fluorescent Art", Gallery Radisson SAS Daugava-Templis. Riga, Latvia.
- 1997. ART Exhibition in TBF-group (Nissan). Riga, Latvia.
- 1997. "10 years by Artist Eyes" Gallery Radisson SAS Daugava-Templis. Riga, Latvia.
- 1997. "Bridge from Consciousness to Subconsciousness", Pushkin Center, Antverpen, Belgium.
- 1995-1998. ART Gallery "Splendid Palace". A series of exhibitions. Riga, Latvia.
- 1996. "Gaudi's Women", Russian Theater. Tallinn, Estonia.
- 1992-2013. Gallery "Templis". A series of exhibitions. Riga, Latvia.
- 1992. "I am You!", The House of Architectors. Riga, Latvia.
Group Exhibitions
- International exhibitions of contemporary art
- ART Monaco '11
- Senza Confine (Trento)
- ART FAIR Riga-2016
- Salon Art Shopping au Carrousel du Louvre. 2016. Paris, France
- Salon du Design –CREA 2014, 2014. Nice, France
PUBLICATIONS
Catalogs and Articles
Catalogs
- Catalog of the exhibition "ART RIGA FAIR 2018", 2018. Riga, Latvia.
- Catalog of the exhibition "ART RIGA FAIR 2017", 2017. Riga, Latvia.
- Catalog of the exhibition "ART RIGA FAIR 2016", 2016. Riga, Latvia. ISBN 978-9934-14-739-5.
- Catalog of the exhibition "...AND MY SOUL", Vitaly Yermolayev, 32 pages, 2014. St.Petersburg, Russia.
- Catalog "Senza confine", 80 pages, 2011. Trento, Italia.
- Catalog "…E L'ANIMA MIA", 62 pages, 2009. Riga, Latvia.
- Catalog "Vitaly Yermolayev. Luminous Painting INNER LIGHT", 50 pages, 2008. St.Petersburg, Russia.
- Catalog "Vitālijs Jermolajevs. Gaismas glezniecība, Luminous painting, INNER LIGHT", 60 pages, 2008. Riga, Latvia.
- Catalog "George Gershwin – 100". 30 pages. 1998. Riga, Latvia. ISBN 9984-592-39-1.
- Catalog "Art of diaspora. Painting, Graphic Art, Sculpture", 64 pages, 1996. Riga, Latvia.
- Catalog "Vitalijs Jermolajevs. TEMPLIS galerija", 1993. Riga, Latvia.
- Catalog "Christmas Auction: All-Russia Fund of Culture". 94 pages, 1992. Moscow, Russia.
- Catalog of the exhibition "Transfiguration", 1991. Moscow, USSR.
Articles and Magazines
- The magazine "Earthly Time" (Journal "Earthly Time"), 170 pages, 2016, N 2. Riga, Latvia.
- Luxury. Real estate, Journal, N 3, 2013. Art Gallery ART Residence INNER LIGHT – Theater of glowing paintings by Vitaly Ermolaev. 2013. Riga, Latvia.
- The path of light is lost and found (The Path of Light - Lost and Found). Journal "Business Class", 2010, N 3. Riga, Latvia.
- "Mystery of the light", Journal "Business Class", 2010. Riga, Latvia.
- Temple of inner light (Temple of Inner Light). The magazine "Happy people", 2005, N 28. Riga, Latvia. ISSN 1407-9526
- Picturesque etudes about the sacraments of the soul. (Picturesque Etudes About the Sacraments of the Soul) Journal of the "Capitalist", 2005-03. Riga, Latvia.
- What kind of spiritual baggage does Europe bring to us? About our contribution of spiritual values to the human treasury of values. Journal of the "Capitalist"-2004-2005, 12. Riga, Latvia.
- In "separately taken space and time", or a small journey into the world of contemporary art, Journal of the "Capitalist", 2004, 9. Riga, Latvia.
- "I'm provoking dreams"- Interview to the magazine "Capitalist"-2004, 10-11. Riga, Latvia.
- Office, Journal, 1997, N 4. Riga, Latvia.
- Office, Journal, 1996, N 12. Riga, Latvia.