Bilibin, Alexandre

Born to a Russian father and English mother; parents relocated to England when he was young. A double mastoid operation at age 9 left him deaf, and he attended the Ince Jones Oral School for Deaf Boys, then the Central High School for Arts and Crafts in London and studied art for 4 years at the Royal Academy Schools. Began a 53-year friendship with fellow deaf artist Alfred R. Thompson (q.v.). Worked as a scenic designer for motion pictures; also did portraits and mural work, including most of the murals on the famous ocean liner Queen Mary. Exhibited in the International Exhibition of Fine and Applied Arts by Deaf Artists, 1934. Died after a series of 3 heart attacks.