Ry Nikonova, also known as Rea Nikonova, was a Russian artist, poet, writer. Many of her artworks are in private and public collections throughout the world. She was a main theoretical thinker behind Transfurism movement as well as a prominent figure in Mail art history. Her literary and visual works were published in Russia, Spain, US, and other countries. She was an editor of samizdat magazines Transponans and Double. She founded "Uktuss School" art movement in Yekaterinburg, Russia.
Biography
Early life
She was born in Yeysk, Russia on 25 June 1942. Yeysk during that time was occupied by Nazi Germany. She was born into a very artistic family, where playing piano, singing and composing verses was normal after-work entertainment.
She married Serge Segay in 1966. Their families were tied by friendship forged during exile years - both Serge Segay's grandmother and Ry Nikonova's grandcousin were exiled together to Kazakhstan by Stalin. Introduced by their parents, they got close via discussing each other's artwork.
Uktuss School (Yekaterinburg)
She founded "Uktuss School" art movement in Yekaterinburg, Russia. They were creating abstract art and experimented with avant-garde poetry and writing. She also found samizdat journal "Nomer". May artworks from that era now are in possession of Russian collector Vadim Yegorov. In 1971 she creates first visual poems. Then she creates first vacuum poems, and first poems in form of tables.
In 1974, she moves to Yeysk with her husband. They start publishing samizdat journal Transponans in 1979, in 5 copies. They entertain numerous guests from both Russian capitals, creating art and poetry in collaboration. Their Yeysk abode becomes the cultural centre for Russian art and literature underground. They also make performances in Saint-Petersburg, Tambov, Kiev, Moscow during these years. She becomes a key thinker in experimental, avant-garde literature - in 1976 she starts creating artist books, in 1978 - first vector poems. A lot of people saw her "gesture poems" during performances in Berlin, Budapest. Her drawings and paintings during this period are much softer than Serge Segay's, with smooth lines and not many sharp edges. Yet they feel blue, sometimes reflecting "no-escape" reality of living in USSR, e.g. famous "Life in a Jar" series of drawings. In 1991, she starts publishing another samizdat journal, "Double".
Ry Nikonova joins Mail art movement in 1985. In 1989, she organized "Scarecrow" mail art exhibition in Yeysk, Russia. She corresponds with numerous artistsaround the world, including Robin Crozier, John M. Bennett, Guy Bleus, Shozo Shimamoto and others. She also participates in many Mail art projects.
Late period (Kiel)
She emigrated to Germany together with her husband in 1998. Initial efforts of integration were thwarted by diagnosis of cancer, which she subsequently fought for 10 years. She participated in Mail art projects, created visual poetry, sound poetry and a few paintings. Most importantly, she continued work on her yet unpublished theoretical tome "The System", which purpose is to enumerate all imaginable styles and approaches to art.
