Artist's work takes shine off glossy Russian image

ST PETERSBURG, Russia, Mar 2 (Reuters) Artist and photographer Ivan Ushkov takes dark pictures that set out to puncture the glossy image of Russia that the country's leaders try to project.

And some powerful people seem to take exception to his work.

His first showing in Moscow was cancelled by the organisers last month because of a photograph entitled ''Welcome to Russia'' which showed rough young men with vacant expressions.

Police later turned up at his camera shop in St Petersburg to give him a dressing down over his photographs, warning him that his business could be disrupted.

''We are being forced into a world of socialist realism in this country, like it was in the past, like in the Soviet Union,'' Ushkov told Reuters in an interview at his studio in Russia's second city.

''We are constantly being told how great it is to live here -- the best country, the biggest stabilisation fund -- look at the news. But look around you, look at the reality, look at the grandmothers surviving on a thousand roubles a month.'' President Vladimir Putin, keen to promote unity after the chaos that accompanied the fall of the Soviet Union, has sought to present Russia in a better light both at home and abroad.

Life has improved for large sectors of the population and President Putin enjoys a high approval rating.

However, opponents say the Kremlin, which controls top television channels, has fostered a Soviet-style atmosphere where the news is always positive and criticism is avoided.

Behind the spin, says Ushkov, the reality of Russian life is different: ''They are smoking their own dope, basically.'' ''WELCOME TO RUSSIA'' Ushkov said his photographs were pulled by organisers just half an hour before an exhibition of young artists opened at Moscow's House of Artists. The organisers could not be reached for comment.

A photograph of two insolent and rather rough-looking men in leather jackets who stare out vacantly under the slogan ''Welcome to Russia'' caused particular offence to art officials.

''They said 'Russia doesn't need pictures like that','' Ushkov said. ''They want to have lots of beauty and they don't give a damn about all the problems out there.'' Two weeks later, police turned up at his shop and warned him about his photographs including one entitled ''United Russia'', the name of the biggest pro-Kremlin party.

''They came around, about six of seven of them, and they said: 'we have received a signal. We don't need bollocks like this in the city','' Ushkov said. ''I said to them: 'you are breaching my rights'. And they just laughed in my face and said 'We can probe you every day if we want'.'' A police spokesman said it was a routine check of the firm and had nothing to do with Ushkov's pictures.

LOST GENERATION Ushkov, 33, left school as the Soviet Union was crumbling and worked in a factory and a casino instead of going to university.

''It was perestroika. Everything was being torn down and broken up in such a tough way. It was a mad time,'' he said.

He belongs to what is known as Russia's lost generation, known for its cynicism and materialism. Many do not bother voting and largely ignore politics.

One of his photographs parodies a reality show on Russian television and depicts four people shot dead in a bath full of blood. Ushkov, who uses the nickname ''Mr Evil'', suggests the participants in the show be given guns to boost ratings.

Ushkov, who voted for President Putin, raged against the political indifference of his generation.

''What upsets me are those young people, even artists, who say they don't watch television and are not interested in politics,'' Ushkov said.

''But if you don't watch television or interest yourself in politics then very soon politics could get interested in you.'' REUTERS SHB RAI1007