ABOUT 

The Bowmaker

Vladimiros Sorokin-Andreou, who goes by the moniker of “Monomax”, was born in the 1950s in Ukraine. Holder of two graduate degrees, he honed his craft in England, France and Germany, and is a Member of the Academy of Sciences and National Progress of Ukraine. He lives and works in Larnaca (with an alternative name, Skala), Cyprus.

A pupil of Arthur Bultitude, a highly qualified bowmaker who worked at W.E.Hill and Son, and is considered one of the finest violin bowmakers in the world.

Art and Craft

Vladimiros is also a talented artist, whose paintings can be found in various museums and private collections. Two of his paintings were included in the 12th edition of the American Encyclopedia of Living Artists.

A very dynamic personality, he devotes tremendous time and energy to his paintings. Each of his pieces carries an enormous positive charge of life and beauty. His deep spiritual love of the land can be sensed in every landscape. Vladimiros' favourite styles are realism and impressionism.

Speciality and Passion

Vladimiros specialises in production of individually hand-made bows, as well as the careful restoration of antiques. One of the few contemporary violin bowmakers who has auctioned at Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Bonham’s and other auction houses.

His main passion, which he has pursued since teenage years, are the violin bows; devoting decades to refining his craft and skill in his local atelier. He is meticuolous about the selecion of materials, sourcing only those that are right for each item. He enjoys variety in the detailing of the bows too, always testing new ways of adding modern interpretation to some elements and testing new designs.

Vladimiros has taken part in a variety of exhibitions, is a member of the Violin Society of America, Hilliard Society of Miniatures, Guild of American Luthiers, Who is Who and others. His favourite bowmakers are Nikolai Kittel, James Tubbs and Arthur Bultitude.

Violin Society of America Instrument Exhibit 2021