Boris Tyomkin
MFA, New York Academy of Art
BS, UCLA
Boris Tyomkin was born in Moscow, where his earliest artistic influence came from his grandfather, a painter in the Soviet Union. As a child, he began formal training at the Brentwood Art Center in Los Angeles, a formative experience that eventually led him to pursue art full time. In 2009, Tyomkin moved to New York City to earn his MFA from the New York Academy of Art.
During his studies, he developed a deep admiration for artists such as Watteau, Tiepolo, and Fragonard. Their work sparked his fascination with the theatricality of life and the delicate boundary between illusion and reality—a theme that continues to shape his practice. His recent work draws connections between the Rococo era and the present. Tyomkin also explores his Jewish heritage; his work delves into themes from Jewish life in the Russian shtetl at the turn of the 20th century, offering a deeply personal lens into cultural memory and identity.
An experienced educator, Tyomkin has taught both children and adults at all skill levels. His teaching focuses on strengthening technical foundations to empower students to reach their full creative potential.
