Olga Yarutina is the new owner and editor of The Art Newspaper Russia, the only international publication devoted to art in Russia. Launched by Inna Bazhenova in 2011, the Russian edition has become the reference journal for the Russian art world.
It comprises a monthly print publication covering topics from museums and heritage to exhibitions and auctions, along with special editions and supplements. In addition, The Art Newspaper Russia website publishes daily articles on national and international art news. Meanwhile “The Art Newspaper Russia Awards” are awarded each year, honouring the most significant events and personalities of the past year.
Born in Sverdlovsk (now Yekaterinburg), Yarutina is a businesswoman with a degree in economics and law. Her collection, which she started six years ago, includes Russian paintings, drawings and prints. Our Lady of Murom, dating from the 16th century, and Our Lady of Kazan depicting the Virgin and Child are among the centrepieces of her collection. “Russian art has great resonance for me, and it starts with the icon,” Yarutina says.
She adds: “The world we live in is changing rapidly… the media industry is changing, some publications are disappearing and other newspapers and magazines are replacing them. But the mission of The Art Newspaper Russia remains unchanged: to cover the most important events in the art world, both in Russia and internationally, and to maintain its status as an independent platform for debate and discussion.”
“When we launched our own version of an international publication on the Russian art scene 12 years ago, we had the hope, which came true, of becoming a reference publication in the field,” Inna Bazhenova says. “We responded to public demand for more information, and more international information.”