Oleg Prokofiev’s sketchbooks and notebooks displayed in an archival cabinet

A living legacy.

At the heart of Prokofiev Studio lies the artistic legacy of Oleg Prokofiev (1928–1998) — prominent artist, sculptor and poet whose artistic career spans the Soviet underground art scene. Son of the great Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev, he was associated with Moscow’s unofficial artistic circles, including the Slepian Group, developing a highly individual language of abstraction outside the constraints of Socialist Realism. These early geometric and lyrical abstractions now occupy an important place within the history of Soviet Non-Conformist Art.

01 / The collection

Oleg Prokofiev

The studio is home to a significant collection of Oleg Prokofiev’s artworks, including paintings, sculptures, drawings and previously unseen material from his personal archive. Together, these works offer a comprehensive view of an artist whose creative vision evolved continuously over five decades, encompassing his years in the Soviet Union and his later practice in the United Kingdom.

Beyond the artworks themselves, the archive preserves the wider context of Oleg Prokofiev’s life and practice. Sketchbooks, notebooks, correspondence, photographs, exhibition catalogues, manuscripts and personal documents provide insight into his artistic process and the intellectual and cultural networks that informed his work.

Wooden line sculptures by Oleg Prokofiev installed on white gallery walls — Oleg Prokofiev · Sculptures in space

Photographs, archival material and a painted sculpture from the Oleg Prokofiev collection — Archive material · Prokofiev Studio

A colourful work on paper and press clippings from Oleg Prokofiev’s archive — Works and documents from the Oleg Prokofiev archive

02 / Continuity

From Norfolk to London.

For the past fifteen years, the body of Oleg Prokofiev’s artwork remained stored in a barn in Norfolk, hidden from public view. The collection has now been relocated to Prokofiev Studio in London. Legacy is not only about preservation — it is about continuity. By placing Oleg Prokofiev’s work in dialogue with contemporary artists, musicians and thinkers, Prokofiev Studio creates a space where history becomes a catalyst for new ideas, ensuring that the archive remains an active part of today’s cultural landscape.

03 / A creative lineage

Past, in motion.

The Prokofiev legacy continues through Gabriel Prokofiev — composer, producer and founder of the independent record label Nonclassical. Building on his family’s spirit of artistic innovation, Gabriel has developed a distinctive practice that reimagines the relationship between classical and electronic music.

At Prokofiev Studio, heritage is understood as something active rather than fixed. By placing Oleg Prokofiev’s work in conversation with contemporary artists, musicians and thinkers, the studio creates a space where history becomes a catalyst for new ideas, ensuring that the archive remains a living and evolving part of today’s cultural landscape.

Explore Oleg Prokofiev ↗