Jerszow was born on 12 July 1967 in Chernihiv, in Northern Ukraine in a mixed Polish–Ukrainian family.[2] As a repatriate he acquired Polish citizenship and his family moved in 2001 to Poland, where he currently resides in the city of Gdańsk.[2]
Being brought up in a multinational family, he is fluent in Russian, Ukrainian and Polish, and gained a love for the history and culture of different nationalities.[3]
During his school years (1974–1982), he was engaged in gymnastics and judo. He graduated from a music school in the class of bass guitar, and began to show interest in photography. Following the family tradition, he planned to become a doctor. In 1986 he graduated from medical college, received a medical education (bachelor degree)[4] in the specialty of paramedic; he then worked for two years in medical institutions. During his training, he became interested in wood carving and jewelry, took part in regional exhibitions. At the all-Union competition-exhibition of the folk art of the USSR held in Livadia in 1985 he was awarded with the "Small Medal of the Laureate".
While working in medicine, he expanded the boundaries of knowledge of human psychology; as a result, he decided to change the direction and devote himself to art. He took up drawing and sculpture, moved to Kiev in 1986 to attend the studio of fine arts of George Khusid, where he took up portraits and prepared for entrance exams at the art university.
Education
From 1988 to 1991, Jerszow studied at the Lviv Academy of Arts at the department of monumental sculpture in the group of Emanuel Mysko. At the same time, he began to study privately and work in the workshop of Anatoly Galyan, where he gained practical experience in creating monumental works at all stages of realization. He subsequently he trained at the Ukrainian Academy of Arts faculty of sculpture and worked in a workshop of Valery Shvetsov and academician Vasyl Borodai. In 1995, he defended his diploma on historical and religious topics relating to Ancient Russia – "Monument to Holy Prince Mikhail and Boyar Fedor".
Teaching
1996 – 1999 assistant and seniority at (NAVAA) National Academy of Visual Arts and Architecture, his supervisor was an Academician Vasyl Borodai. He began cooperation with a historian Vladimir Kovalenko and an academician Petro Tolochko, at the same time published articles in scientific journals. He created a program to perpetuate historical figures and events of the 17–18 centuries (based on historical materials of the Northern Part of the Left Bank of Ukraine). He created a series of projects dedicated to national heroes. The image of Ivan Mazepa was later embodied in bronze and was the first monument in Ukraine dedicated to the hetman – philanthropist.
1999 – 2000 Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Fine Arts. National University "Chernihiv Collegium" named after T. G. Shevchenko. Chernihiv, Ukraine.
2003 – 2004 Teacher of sculpture and metal plastics. Composition of connected plastic schools. Gdynia – Orlovo, Poland.
Creative method
The sculptor works in a realistic style. The elaborate details are combined with lively textured sculpting and graceful lines, which makes the composition easy and dynamic.[5]
The artist carefully selects themes for his works. Throughout his creative career, he has been creating portraits and figurines of artists and scientists, religious figures and politicians, creating images of famous people from the world of ballet, music and fashion. Thanks to direct contact with contemporaries, he conveys the unique spirit and energy of his heroes. The gallery of a modern portrait is presented by President of Poland Lech Walesa, Pope John Paul II, Patriarch of Ukraine Filaret, Protestant pastor Roman Jan Pawlas, Georgian Director Guram Petriashvili, English singer-songwriter and composer Ken Hensley (Uriah Heep), Polish scholar Andrzej Ceynowa, artists: Evhen Karas, Vlad Dimyon, Yuri Olishkevych (USA), female images "Olga", "Barbara", "Anastasia", as well as the artist's children "Wanda" and "Ostap".
The sculptor's works are distinguished by sensuality and emotionality, in each piece of work he conveys the individuality, mood and inner world of a person.
As a material he uses bronze, ceramics, silver.
He owns workshops in Gdańsk (Poland) and Chernihiv (Ukraine). He is the founder of the private gallery "FART", which has been engaged in the production and sale of sculptural works since 1995.[3]
2003 – memorial plaque – portrait of Pallottine priest Eugeniusz Dutkiewicz (bronze), hospice. Gdańsk, Poland;
2004 – a plaque – a portrait of Julian Rummel, one of the founders of Gdynia – on the facade of the headquarters of the Polish Navy (bronze). Gdynia, Poland;
2009 – the fountain "Roses", Central Square. Tarnobrzeg, Poland;
2010 – memorial on the site of the papal altar, in honour of the Holy mass with the participation of John Paul II at Zaspa in Gdańsk on 12 June 1987. Gdańsk, Poland;
2010 – "Stations of the Cross" – 14 reliefs (bronze,wood). Parish of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Gdańsk;
Monument to Vladimir the Great in Gdańsk, Poland. Celebrated on May 23, 2015, on the occasion of the millennium since the death of the baptist of Kievan Rus. Built with the help of the Ukrainian community of Gdańsk and the Ukrainian diaspora of the world.
![Grand Prix WOYTEK [pl]](File:Wojciech_Wesiollowski_%22Wojciech%22.jpg)
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