Stallone shows off arty side in Russia

ST. PETERSBURG (AFP) ― Art lovers lined up Sunday at the world’s biggest museum of Russian art in Saint Petersburg, where U.S. film star Sylvester Stallone unveiled a retrospective of his abstract paintings.

Work by the Hollywood action man won praise from the curators at the State Russian Museum although some critics denounced Stallone for his anti-Russia character “Rambo” and said such art had no place in the venerable institution.

Stallone was all smiles as he unveiled the exhibition, entitled matter-of-factly “Sylvester Stallone. Art. 1975-2013,” and said it was an honor to show his works in Russia’s historic capital.

“I hope you will like my pictures,” he said at a press conference. “I love all of you.”

The 67-year-old star of blockbusters such as “Rambo” and “Rocky” said that if he had a choice, he would spend his life drawing and sculpting instead of starring in action hits.

“If my visit is a challenge for somebody, let it be so,” he said when asked what he thought of some furious comments, notably by some in the Communist party, who thought that exhibiting Stallone at the Russian Museum was a travesty.

Museum director Vladimir Gusev said Stallone’s paintings “show the character of a passionate man” and were not simply “the work of an amateur.”

“... This is a real artist,” he told journalists. “The Russian museum does not show weak artists.”

The exhibit attracted a crowd of about 1,000 intrigued people who stood in line on opening day to enter the museum in the center of Russia’s second city.

“I watched Stallone’s movies, I’m not surprised that such a macho man can make paintings. I want to look at them,” said Natalia Akimova, 49.

Others were curious but dismissive. “I’m sure these paintings wouldn’t be up if someone else produced them,” said Igor Savenko. “It’s a commercial trick, not art.”