Buddhist sculpture in the works of Vladimir Vaskin

Abstract

The study is devoted to the history of the development of Buddhist temple sculpture in Kalmykia, the period of its revival from the beginning of the 1990s. The author notes the  main reasons for the loss of a huge layer of Buddhist fine art of Kalmykia 17th – early 20th century, in the dramatic period of its history, as well as the chronology of the creation of new cult monuments of architecture and sculpture. The main focus of the article is on the  contribution to the reconstruction of the national tradition of Buddhist plastic by  the  honored artist of Russia, sculptor Vladimir Savelyevich Vaskin. The study introduces into scientific circulation the names of members of his creative group of sculptors, as well as  his spiritual teacher. The author has identified and described the main stages in the  formation of the sculptor's artistic method, based on personal experiences associated with the tragedy of the entire Kalmyk people during the years of Stalin's repressions. The  results of the study are addressed to a wide circle of readers interested in Buddhist art.