Misha Frid

Education

Life story

Misha was born in 1938 in Jewish family in Moscow, Russia (USSR). His father was from Lithuania, and mother was from Belarus. They were two very different and very wonderful people. From his father he inherited a love for music and art, and from his mother good health and an unlimited zest for life. He was the youngest of three children. When Misha was five, his father took him to a music school to study violin. His father's dream was to see Misha become a concert violinist. But Misha's dream was to become a sculptor.

Five years later he switched from his musical school to art school to study graphical arts and sculpture, however music has remained an important part of his life.

He graduated with honors from the Moscow State Art College and The University of Fine Arts in the capital. He also studied Film Directing at the Russian State University of Cinematography in Moscow.
In 1964 he had an exhibition in the Pushkin Museum in Moscow with other young artists. In 1965 Misha had his work displayed at Saint-Petersburg Hermitage Museum.
Russian culture and literature influence his artistic perception. A love for the music of Russian composers and Russian ballet, inspires him. He sees ballet as sculpture in motion.
In the summer of 1972 the fields around Moscow were burning. The weather was hot all over Russia. The harvests were failing. People were hungry. Russia applied to the UN for help and the help was available, but the Iron Curtain prevented the free entrance of the wheat. At that time US Senator Jackson proposed an amendment to the US rules and regulations. The US was willing and able to bring help to Russia in exchange for 150 Refuseniks to be let out of Russia. Leonid Brezhnev surrendered. At that time Misha Frid was a young and prominent Member of Sculptor Society of Russia. His work was on public display and in the Museums. Every art was screened and sifted through official channels. Only safe, government approved subject matter was permitted. There was no freedom of speech. The "Jackson Amendment", as it was called in Russia came none too soon for Frid's Family. A letter arrived at Frid's home. "You've been granted an exit from Russia". Due date 14 days. Currency allowed per family $80 per person. Misha Frid had a wife and two sons, ages 11 months and 5 years. And so the story begins...

Career

His new life started in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Next city was Los Angeles.
In 1978 Misha Frid became a US citizen. After some time, Frid had the lucky opportunity to develop a relationship and to work with Erte, who was 80 years old: a living legend and Master of Art Deco. "I felt like a young writer having the incredible fortune to know Shakespeare", says Misha. Because there is so much stress around us, Frid opts for fantasy and dreams. Frid created his own style.

Wentworth publishing corporation represented Misha Frid for 21 years (Dec. 22, 1990 – Nov. 22, 2011). It was the biggest publishing company with 40 galleries in the US. Every gallery had an art piece by Misha Frid. During 21 years they sold more than 5,000 sculptures by Misha.

In 1984 Misha Frid with his family moved to Toronto, Canada. During 19 years (1986 - 2004), Misha Frid exhibited his art on International ArtExpo in New York.
In 1989,1990 Misha Frid exhibited his art on International ArtExpo in Los Angeles.
In 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994 Misha Frid exhibited his art at Tokyo International ArtShow.
In 1991 he won a public art competition and created a 10-foot bronze sculpture "The Lady of the Lily" that graces a Toronto street-scape.
In 1993 Misha exhibited his art in Seoul, Korea. He was accepted in a Cultural Exchange Program, SIART’93
Misha Frid was chosen an official sculptor by the 1996 U.S. Olympic Committee. He created sculptures: "Equestrian", "Gymnast", "Stadium Jumper" for the 100th anniversary of the 1996 U.S. Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.
In 2000 Misha Frid represented his sculpture for the first time in a drawing collection on International ArtExpo in New York. Misha put his passion on paper in a unique style. Drawings were a new beginning of his vision of life, beauty and music.
In 2003, 2004 Frid exhibited his art in "Toronto ArtExpo" in Canada.
In 2006 Misha Frid with his family moved back to the US from Canada. In 2008 American Sport Art Museum and Archives in Alabama, US made the permanent exhibition of Frid’s sculptures: "Equestrian", "Gymnast", "Stadium Jumper" created for the 100th anniversary of the 1996 U.S. Olympic Games.
In the same year, there was an exhibition at the Art People Gallery in San Francisco, CA called "Exquisite Harmony East West". Western sculpture and traditional Japanese Ikebana flower arrangements, uniting Eastern and Western culture. One-of-a-kind Ikebana was designed for each sculpture by Misha Frid. This beautiful combination of art forms was a celebration of nature and the human spirit through harmony and balance. Misha Frid was awarded a Certificate of recognition from Yasumasa Nagamine, Consul General of Japan. He was also awarded, from California Legislature Mark Leno, (Assemblyman, 13th District), on May, 06, 2008 for contribution to the artistic world to help bridge Eastern and Western art and promote a greater understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures.
2008 it was interesting and funny stories in Canada newspapers. The Toronto Star Newspaper and other news media wrote articles about the capturirng a famous thief who specialized in stealing bicycles. Police said they found more than 3,000 bicycles, more than 15 pounds of marijuana, powdered and crack cocaine, and it was surprising that between all of this stuff was the bronze sculpture "The Centaur", by Misha Frid.

During 2008 - 2012 Misha Frid created Freedom of Expression award for the best Director of the Jewish Film Festival in San Francisco, CA, which symbolizes "the never extinguished flame of Jewish daring and creativity." Many talented directors received this bronze award, but one was special: 95 years old famous actor Kirk Douglas, received Misha Frid’s award in person, preceding the screening of Spartacus on July 24, 2011
When M. Frid was six, his father took him to the famous Russian ballet "Swan Lake". In 2012 Misha Frid donated sculpture "Swan Lake" to Saint-Petersburg Rimsky-Korsakov State Conservatory in Russia. It was a big celebration of the 150th anniversary, It took him one year to create "Swan Lake" in Bronze. This sculpture symbolizes the beauty and grace of Russian ballet and music of Tchaikovskiy.
Wayne Schotten and Misha Frid in 2013 created documentary film "Swan Lake in Bronze". In 2014 Downtown Film Festival Los Angeles awarded "Swan Lake in Bronze" Best Cinematography for Documentary. In the same year Misha Frid created two bronze sculptures for 20th anniversary of Vladimir Spivakov International Charity Foundation in Moscow, Russia. He himself gave these awards to the main sponsor of the foundation. This foundation, for 20 years, has helped young talents. The foundation cares about their well-being, provides them with musical instruments and aids their future careers. In 2015 Vladimir Spivakov delivered to Yevgeny Mironov the bronze award "Mercy" made by Misha Frid. M. Frid art on public displays and private collections throughout the world. His exhibitions include Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul, London, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Toronto, San Francisco and more. Frid and Freedom brought forth the beauty of the classical romantic style when the background of Russia school and culture, were combined with the new world of liberty. In Frid’s art there is not only joy, balance and harmony, there is also concept and philosophy. As the sculptor of dreams he shares his vision with other dreamers.

Philanthropy

Misha Frid donates his sculptures and drawings to different foundations and organizations: Okizu , San Francisco Symphony, Art Deco Society of Los Angeles, Saint-Petersburg Conservatory, Vladimir Spivakov International charity foundation, American-Russian Cultural Cooperation Foundation