Smirnoff e a mulher |
George Vitalievich Smirnoff, também conhecido como Yuri (nome russo para George) nasceu em Vladivostoque em 1903. Em plena revolução, aos 12 anos teve de fugir para Harbin, na Manchúria. Será aqui que estuda e se torna arquitecto. Com o avanço das tropas japonesas, Smirnoff, já casado, foge com a família para o Norte da China. Em Tsingtao trabalha como arquitecto tendo concebido mais de uma centena de projectos. Na altura a cidade era uma zona de veraneio e nos tempos livres Smirnoff entretém-se a pintar e chega a vender alguns quadros.
Em 1938 ele a família são novamente obrigados a fugir do avanço japonês e rumam até Hong Kong. Até que em Dezembro de 1941 a então colónia britânica é invadida pelos japoneses. Três anos mais tarde ele e a família partem para Macau, cidade já imensamente povoada de refugiados e onde reside no Páteo das Seis Casas.
Em 1938 ele a família são novamente obrigados a fugir do avanço japonês e rumam até Hong Kong. Até que em Dezembro de 1941 a então colónia britânica é invadida pelos japoneses. Três anos mais tarde ele e a família partem para Macau, cidade já imensamente povoada de refugiados e onde reside no Páteo das Seis Casas.
Os empregos são escassos e será a pintura a ter um papel chave para a sobrevivência naqueles anos difíceis. O arquitecto tornado pintor confidenciara certa vez ao seu velho amigo Padre Albert Cooney, que "não sabia o suficiente para ser bom, mas sabia já demais para ser mau". Quem repara nele e nas suas obras é Pedro Lobo (director dos Serviços de Economia) que via governo de Macau lhe encomenda uma série de 63 aguarelas sobre o território.
Palácio do Governo e Jardim Lou Lim Ioc
As obras, produzidas entre 1944 e 1945, passaram a fazer parte do espólio do então Museu Luís de Camões e actualmente estão no Museu de Arte de Macau., que lhe garantem a subsistência. Em Macau Smirnoff ainda se dedica a ensinar desenho e a fazer cenários para peças de teatro. A única exposição que ali fez data de 1945, no Colégio de S. Luís, na Rua da Praia Grande, juntamente com os seus alunos (o macaense Luís Demée, mais tarde pintor, foi um deles), pouco antes de regressar a Hong Kong onde a 6 de Fevereiro de 1947 se suicida. Está sepultado no cemitério de Happy Valley. Em Macau tem nome de rua.
Os chineses chama-se "Sam Pá Chai" ao Seminário de S. José em cima numa fotografia da década 1920 (acima) e em baixo uma aguarela de George Smirnoff na década 1940
George Vitalievich Smirnoff was born on 27 October 1903. Also known as Yuri (russian name for George). Born in 1903, in the coastal town of Vladivostock, he started his nomadic existence early. When he was barely twelve, the waves of the Russian Revolution hit his homeland and obliged him to flee to Harbin, in Manchuria.
During his adolescent years in Harbin, he proved to be an excellent student, winning a number of prizes helping to secure his entry to the Department of Architecture in the city's University. But the Japanese policy of territorial expansion included the invasion of Manchuria and the young architect, recently married, was compelled to flee once again, this time to Tsingtao, a summer resort north of Shanghai. Here he settled as an architect, responsible for drawing up projects and plans for two-hundred residences. Smirnoff took advantage of the seasonal architectural bustle of this small town; mainly happening during the four summer months, by spending the remaining months of the year painting. Naturally eclectic, he rapidly mastered the palette techniques with a talent which enabled him to sell some of his paintings and be encouraged in his endeavour.
During his adolescent years in Harbin, he proved to be an excellent student, winning a number of prizes helping to secure his entry to the Department of Architecture in the city's University. But the Japanese policy of territorial expansion included the invasion of Manchuria and the young architect, recently married, was compelled to flee once again, this time to Tsingtao, a summer resort north of Shanghai. Here he settled as an architect, responsible for drawing up projects and plans for two-hundred residences. Smirnoff took advantage of the seasonal architectural bustle of this small town; mainly happening during the four summer months, by spending the remaining months of the year painting. Naturally eclectic, he rapidly mastered the palette techniques with a talent which enabled him to sell some of his paintings and be encouraged in his endeavour.
But soon the conquering Japanese Army sweept China, and the Smirnoff family had to gather their belongings once again and move to Hong Kong where George got a job in a local architectural practice. In December 1941 they were trapped in the British colony by the rapid Japanese southern advance, only three years later managing to find refuge in Macao. But by then the city was swarming with refugees and jobs were scarce. This time, George Smirnoff's survival depended on his painting.
In Macao, he and his family lived at Páteo das Seis Casas (see photos). To earn Money he gave drawing classes and designed theatrical sets. In 1944 on behalf of the Government of Macao, Dr. Pedro Lobo placed with the artist an order for a series of watercolours depicting views of the colony, thus providing him with a steady revenue. Smirnoff produced a series of sixty-three urban landscapes, which presently belong to the heritage of the Museu Luís de Camões (Luís de Camões Museum). He exhibited for the first time in Macao, in December 1945 in the Colégio de S. Luís (St. Louis's College), in Praia Grande, in a joint show together with his apprentices. The Macanese Luís Demée who later became a painter, was one of them.
George Smirnoff died on 6th February 1947 and was buried at the Happy Valley Cemetery, Hong Kong.
In Macao, he and his family lived at Páteo das Seis Casas (see photos). To earn Money he gave drawing classes and designed theatrical sets. In 1944 on behalf of the Government of Macao, Dr. Pedro Lobo placed with the artist an order for a series of watercolours depicting views of the colony, thus providing him with a steady revenue. Smirnoff produced a series of sixty-three urban landscapes, which presently belong to the heritage of the Museu Luís de Camões (Luís de Camões Museum). He exhibited for the first time in Macao, in December 1945 in the Colégio de S. Luís (St. Louis's College), in Praia Grande, in a joint show together with his apprentices. The Macanese Luís Demée who later became a painter, was one of them.
George Smirnoff died on 6th February 1947 and was buried at the Happy Valley Cemetery, Hong Kong.
Páteo das Seis Casas (Freguesia de S. Lourenço) in 1991 (above) and in 21st century
VLADIVOSTOQUE na Siberia?
ResponderEliminarVou corrigir. Obgdo!
ResponderEliminar