Anatoly Smolenkov was born in 1954 in an uralian town Zlatoust. This town is famous for its long traditions in manufacturing unique examples of cold steel. In this very town the artist took his first professional skills. In 1975-1979 Anatoly Smolenkov studied at the Moscow State Art-Industrial University named by Stroganov (at present Stroganov University). In 1983 he was admitted to the Artistic Union. He takes an active part both in Russian and international exhibitions. Working in plastic arts Anatoly Smolenkov prefers stone to other materials.