From monumental sculptures in Moscow, Russia, to intricate figurative sculptures installed in the Boston Museum of Art, Andrey Sledkov captures stories in clay with every touch of his fingers. Through the interplay of simplicity in form and religious, historical and political themes, Sledkov articulates profound thoughts and present-day narratives through the language of classical academic sculpture.  

Sledkov is being recognized by the Holladay Arts Council in March for his talent, skill and artistic creativity in capturing the realities and intricacies of life in volume.

According to Sledkov, his art career began at the age of 9 in Russia. “I drew a lot of cartoon heroes and superheroes when I was young,” Sledkov said. “My parents enrolled me in an art school with an accomplished teacher who recognized my potential and told them I would someday be an artist. Now, 25 years later, here I am, working as an artist.”

Sledkov graduated in 2010 from the Moscow Art Institute. When he was just 23 years old, he established his first monument in the Russian capital. A year later, he joined the Moscow Union of Artists and the Moscow Union of Sculptors. He became the author of the first-ever Russian monument to the first Russian tsar, Ivan the Terrible, located in Orel, Russia in October 2016.

He has worked at the side of many sculptors including the eminent modern artist Salavat Shcherbakov who was awarded the title of the People’s Artist of the Russian Federation. 

 “Sculptor Andrey Sledkov worked in our creative team for a long time,” Shcherbakov said. “He showed himself as a professional and literate artist. Andrey is an interesting and creative person. He has great prospects for development and work as a sculptor.”

When the war between Russia and Ukraine broke out in 2021, Sledkov, his wife, and two small sons relocated to the United States. This move was made possible by American artist and sculptor Stan Watts, owner of Atlas Bronze Casting. Recognizing Sledkov’s immense talent, Watts offered him a position on his team of sculptors in Utah.

 Watts contacted an attorney, and soon, Sledkov obtained a visa and was on his way with his family to a new life to live and work in the United States.

In a recent conversation, Watts praised Sledkov, stating, “Andrey is probably the best sculptor I know. He’s young, fast and incredibly creative. He’s truly a master sculptor.” Watts’ words reflect not only Sledkov’s impressive talent, but also the bright future that lay ahead.

“War is always a tragedy, where there is no winning side,” Sledkov said. “People die, and death is tragic especially when they are brothers, separated by the front line. Someone once said: “Divide and rule!” And that’s how nations were divided, creating differences like flags, borders, religions and so on.” 

Born to a Ukrainian mother and a Russian father, Sledkov expresses the confusion of his identity in one of his most recent works, “Tears of Motherlands.” In this piece, two women symbolize their homelands, which have seen their soldiers die by fighting each other. The mothers walk across the battlefield, searching for their sons, but when they find them, they do not know whose son is whose. 

“Because we are one people,” Sledkov explains, “everyone is part of the same human race, and for a mother, there is no difference between whose child it is. Both women cry from the grief of loss, and the tragic twist is that these mothers are also sisters.”

Sledkov drew inspiration from the works of Cyrus Dallin to create a portrait bust of the celebrated Utah-born sculptor during a plein air event in Springville, Utah. This bust was gifted to the Cyrus Dallin Art Museum, part of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, where it was recently installed, enriching the museum’s collection and honoring the legacy of one of Utah’s most distinguished artists.

A statue of the renowned inventor Nikola Tesla crafted by Watts and Sledkov was unveiled and dedicated in 2023 at Salt Lake Community College. It is the first of many by the artists that will be placed throughout the United States and Europe and the only one to be placed at a college institution. 

Sledkov is the creator of a series of collectible sculptures, “Legends of National Football,” and was repeatedly involved in the development of corporate design and creation of awards for the football club “Rostov.” Rostov is a Russian professional football club based in Rostov-on-Don. The club competes in the Russian Premier League. 

Sports events bring together athletes and spectators from around the world, providing a heartfelt opportunity for different cultures to come together, share their ideas, languages and traditions. This connection not only enriches the experience of everyone involved but also reminds us of our shared humanity.

According to Sledkov, his American dream is to create sculptures of legendary National Hockey League (NHL) players. He says, this season, the NHL is witnessing an exciting race. Alexander Ovechkin, the Russian professional ice hockey left winger and captain of the Washington Capitals, vies to break Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894 goals and dethrone one of the greatest sports legends of all time.

“I’ve always strived to be a peacemaker through my art,” Sledkov said, reflecting on the purpose behind his craft. “I want to help bring peace to the world.”

If you would like more information about Sledkov’s art visit his website: www.sledkov.com/en-home. λ