Mikhail Abram is a prominent contemporary artist and a founding figure of the Emotionism movement. His creative philosophy is centered on a profound principle: he views each painting as a deliberate attempt to engage in a direct dialogue with the viewer’s soul. Born in 1965 in a Russian industrial town, Abram completed his secondary education in 1983, followed by a period of military service. His path eventually led him to the United Kingdom in 1993, where he studied literature at Kendal University. During his years abroad, he remained deeply connected to the world of visual arts, frequently immersing himself in the atmosphere of local galleries and art studios.

After a decade of working in London’s real estate sector, Abram returned to Russia in 2003 and established "Makarov," a family-run restaurant in Saint Petersburg. The venue quickly transformed into a cultural landmark, serving as a meeting point for distinguished artists, writers, and performers. It was within this vibrant creative community that Mikhail decided to transition his lifelong passion for painting from a private hobby into a professional career. By the late 2000s, his artistic output began to gain significant momentum. In 2012, he established the Association for the Support of Young Artists, an initiative dedicated to the promotion and formal development of Emotionism. Over fifteen years of active practice, he has curated a diverse portfolio of exhibitions and projects.

Selected Exhibitions and Awards: 

• 2008 — First solo exhibition “Belka and Strelka”, Saint Petersburg, Russia 

• 2013 — Special Audience Award, 4th International Portrait Competition “Portrait Now!”, The Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg, Russia 

• 2014 — Solo exhibition “Azimuth”, Astana, Kazakhstan 

• 2014 — Solo exhibition “The Master”, Saint Petersburg, Russia 

• 2015 — Solo exhibition “Maestro”, Saint Petersburg, Russia 

• 2018 — Group exhibition organized by the Los Angeles Art Association, Los Angeles, USA 

• 2018 — Solo exhibition, Zurich, Switzerland 

• 2019 — Solo exhibition “Kostya Kroyts’s Apartment”, Saint Petersburg, Russia 

• 2021 — Participant, international competition Golden Time Talent, London, United Kingdom 

• 2021 — Participant, international online festival-competition EMOTIONS, Art Alebrio

The works of Mikhail Abram are currently held in private collections spanning Russia, Azerbaijan, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Israel, and the United States. His creative journey and the philosophical evolution of Emotionism have been documented in several notable features and essays, including “A Dialogue with the Viewer’s Soul,” “An Artist Working with the Subconscious,” and “Mikhail Abram: After 40, it is very important for a person to understand why they came into this world.” These publications, alongside his extensive history of international exhibitions, underscore his enduring commitment to exploring the deep connection between art and the human spirit.