FYI - The website above is incorrect but I can't get it to change! It should be www.mmgart.com. Thank you!

Michael Murphy Gallery, entering its 40th year in Tampa as a beacon of art exhibitions, is delighted to showcase New Impressionism, a new and captivating collection of impressionistic artworks by the acclaimed international artist Elena Bond. This event will span from April 6–27 at the gallery, in the heart of south Tampa, at 2701 S MacDill Ave., Tampa, FL 33629.

Michael Murphy Gallery also will present the opportunity to meet Bond at the exhibit opening on Friday, April 5, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Bond has explored and mastered various styles and techniques throughout her artistic journey, ranging from serene still lifes and portraits to complex, philosophically rich, multi-figure compositions. Her guiding principles are honesty and a profound love for her craft, regardless of the subject matter.

“Elena Bond has updated the Impressionist movement to our present time, bringing the Impressionists’ spirit into the Twenty-First Century in a grand way - with a major force of impact. In fact, I see Elena as one of the key artists in modern impressionism pushing the boundaries of the movement in a way that hasn’t been done previously. She uses her impeccable taste in a very subtle and sophisticated way creating intense harmonies in her paintings as she keeps the contrast between color and value dynamically balanced. This is a graphic accomplishment of past masters, rarely seen in the art world, especially today,” expressed Pierre Henri Matisse, the grandson of the legendary artist Henri Matisse.

Hailing from Samara, Russia, and born into a lineage of artists, Bond's creative talents emerged early, using anything at her disposal, from pencils to her mother's makeup, to express her artistic vision. Her formal art education began at the tender age of 11.

Descended from a family of artists and musicians, including her great-grandfather, grandfather, and mother who was a classical pianist, Bond's life was a tapestry of diverse cultural experiences. Due to her father's military career, she lived in various parts of the Soviet Union and Germany, enriching her artistic perspective.

By the age of 15, Bond was studying at the State College of Art in Uzbekistan, followed by an advanced education at the Academy of Art, where she obtained a master’s degree in Fine Arts. Her career flourished with numerous exhibitions at international, national and local levels, and she became a distinguished member of the Artists’ Union of Uzbekistan. Bond's versatility extended to the theater, where she designed sets for prestigious institutions including the State Theatre of Opera and Ballet, and the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. Later, she contributed her skills as a restorer at the State Museum of Art in Uzbekistan, while also teaching at the university and participating in exhibitions.

The fall of the Soviet Union brought profound changes, leading to hardships for many. In 1999, a new chapter began for Bond and her family when they moved to the United States after winning the Green Card Lottery, allowing her to continue her artistic endeavors.

Elena Bond’s works will be on display from Tuesdays to Fridays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 6-27, at the Michael Murphy Gallery.

For decades, Michael Murphy Gallery has been the premier destination for fine art and custom framing in the Tampa Bay region. For more information about this must-see exhibition and the gallery, a celebrated landmark for both locals and visitors, please visit www.mmgart.com or contact 813.902.1414.