Born in the Russian city of Ijevsk in 1961, Youri pursued his love of art on his own until 1983, when he entered the Academy de Beaux Arts de Moscow. He was invited to take part in the Moscow Central Art Collective in 1993.

1996 marked a turning point in his career with a one-man show in Paris, entitled "Homage to William Kalf," the great Flemish still-life artist of the XVII Century. Reminiscent of Kalf, he depicts decorative objects, such as Chinese porcelain, soup tureens, nautilus goblets and exquisite carpets. In Flemish art, these still-lives were often used to represent wealth and prosperity.

Youri's paintings are quieting in their effect on the viewer and are suggestive of philosophical meditation rather than luxury and ostentation. Many of the rare objects in his still-lifes reappear in his paintings, i.e., a blue and white Ming bowl or nautilus cup.

Youri has exhibited and sold his work extensively in Europe and Russia as well as Paris and the U.S..