In the study the author defines the potential and functions of the works of Russian artists of the late 20th - early 21st century in the context of the world history of art and the history of Russian art. The research material is the creative output of the contemporary Russian artist Vladimir Zhukovsky, characterized by a balance between knowledge of tradition, fidelity to the religious mission of art and innovative visual language. The paper is devoted to the study of Zhukovsky’s artworks on biblical subjects, as well as works of art related to the visualization of Buddhist wisdom. The research presents analyses of such sculptures and installations by Vladimir Zhukovsky as «God of the Cross», «Seated Buddha», «Humble yourself», «Guide your thought», etc.