Photos: Putin’s pop-art makeover at ‘SUPERPUTIN’ exhibit in Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen riding a brown bear in medieval armour, cuddling a puppy and dressed as Santa Claus in not his latest series of publicity photos, but rather a new exhibition dubbed 'SUPERPUTIN', featuring around 30 paintings and sculptures, all of which were made by Russian artists. ...read more

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Part Russian president, part superhero --a man looks at a diptych of the Russian leader at the "SUPERPUTIN" exhibition at UMAM museum in Moscow on December 06, 2017. (Yuri Kadobnov / AFP)

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Visitors look at a painting depicting Russian president Vladimir Putin as Father Frost, the Russian equivalent of Santa Claus, at the exhibition. These aren’t his latest series of publicity photos, but rather artwork at a new Moscow exhibition focussed on Russia’s leader. (Maxim Shemetov / REUTERS)

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A visitor looks at a painting depicting Russian president Vladimir Putin, a reported black belt, take down an opponent in a Judo match. Putin’s martial arts skills are the stuff of legend and receive extensive coverage within Russian media. (Yuri Kadobnov / AFP)

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A portrait of Putin, holding a portrait of himself holding a portrait of Putin holding yet another portrait! Put-inception much? (Maxim Shemetov / REUTERS)

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A woman poses for a picture with a sculpture depicting Russian president Vladimir Putin riding a bear at the exhibition in UMAM museum in Moscow. The exhibition features around 30 paintings and sculptures of the Russian leader in a variety of different styles, all of which were made by Russian artists. (Maxim Shemetov / REUTERS)

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A visitor looks at an immersive installation with a plate depicting Russian president Vladimir Putin as a Roman warrior in the background. The exhibition opened on the day that he announced his bid for a fourth term as Russia’s President. (Maxim Shemetov / REUTERS)

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A man takes a picture of busts depicting Russian president Vladimir Putin in the colours of the Russian national flag at the "SUPERPUTIN" exhibition. The former KGB officer has been in power, either as president or prime minister, since 2000. (Maxim Shemetov / REUTERS)

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Visitors stand next to a painting depicting a stoic Vladimir Putin brandishing a “Putin Blaster” at the exhibition. Hailed by allies as a leader who has restored national pride and expanded Moscow’s international clout, no challenger appears capable of unseating the leader at the moment. (Yuri Kadobnov / AFP)