Ukrainian art has long been influenced by the Eastern Orthodox Church (think: gold) and Slavic mythology of gods, battles and power. But nowadays - especially with the influence of the post-modern and neo-avant-garde movements - Ukrainian contemporary art has evolved into a vibrant, dynamic scene.
The recent and still unfolding events in Ukraine are heartbreaking, shocking and unnecessary. And with many Artfinder artists based in Ukraine, we have a responsibility as a business to do everything we can to support them through this time. This is why we have created Art for Peace, our artist-lead collection of art, with 100% of all proceeds made from artworks sold donated to non-profit, Sunflower of Peace.
Read on to discover ten awe-inspiring artists in Ukraine who are creating incredible art.
Oleksandr Balbyshev
Oleksandr is a dreamer, and his paintings are a dream, too. His funky, bright portraits play with the complexities and fluidity of sexuality and identity. Complementing these ideas is his bold use of colour and form. He's an Artfinder favourite for good reason.
In 2015, the Ukrainian government banned all symbols and images associated with the USSR, and numerous oil paintings, sculptures, monuments and other images of Lenin were removed from public places. By incorporating these forgotten images into his art, Oleksandr has given them new life.
Alexander Mikhalchyk
Alexander lives surrounded by nature, and in nature he finds the greatest source of inspiration to create art that "evokes positive emotions in people". He is in constant search for new creative inputs, which translates into a well-rounded, rich body of work that has raised interest amongst collectors all over the world.
His masterful technique shines with its own light on artworks that portray exquisite fantasy worlds and dreamlike still lifes that are a true gift to the eye and the imagination. Make sure you zoom in to view the incredible level of detail in his works!
Ole Karako
Ole’s signature loose, ‘alla prima’ style meant that she quickly became a firm favourite at Artfinder. Alla prima is an Italian phrase that means ‘at first attempt’. It refers to a wet-on-wet approach whereby wet paint is applied to previous layers of still-wet paint, often in a single sitting. Over the years, the technique has been adopted and adapted by artists from Van Gogh to Velázquez.
We love the raw energy that this technique creates in Ole’s work.
Yevgeniy Repiashenko
Yevgeniy is a well-versed photographer working in such genres as dynamic dance and sculpture, portrait, and fashion photography, but he is best known for his female nudes and we can confidently call him one of the best masters in his craft.
His works reflect poetic beauty, naked grace and harmony. Being fascinated with classical sculpture and Renaissance painting, Yevgeniy captures the flawless nudity of ballerinas and gymnasts, freezing them in a moment of strength and passion.
V. Lishko
Vitaliy Lishko is a young Ukrainian talent who has exhibited his paintings internationally.
Working primarily within abstract expressionism, he takes an instinctive approach to composing energetic, vibrant pieces that emerge from his subconscious. With each painting, Vitaliy seeks to create a sense of technical, conceptual and aesthetic harmony.
Ira Volkova
We love the pastel hues present in Ira’s nature-filled canvases. A classically trained artist, she is a graduate of the Kharkov Art College and the Kiev National Academy of Fine Arts. Ira’s paintings are stunning, hyper-realistic depictions of flora and fauna in a joyful palette and they never fail to brighten up any space.
Sergiy Dekalyuk
Sergiy is a true master in the art of abstraction. Although all his works are based on human feelings, he approaches each blank canvas without an idea, instead using subconscious exploration, improvisation, and insight as his creative process. His work is therefore an opportunity to keep a diary of his thoughts and emotions.
Dmytro Shavala
Dmytro’s stunning abstract sculptures are inspired by environment, geometry and colour. Combining wood textures and tones alongside glossy, bright colours, his works balance between painting and sculpture. He mastered working with wood at Joseph Stanko art school and then at Lviv National Academy of Arts, to create dynamic artworks reminiscent of op-art.
Lena Vylusk
Lena’s absolutely pristine still lifes are unmatched. Her teetering towers of tea cups and vases full of delicate flowers evoke nostalgia with realist techniques and pale colours. It almost feels as though you’re sitting down to tea when you gaze at one of her extremely realistic masterpieces. Her work is calm, yet bursting with life at the same time!
As a graduate of the Academy of Design and Arts in Kharkiv, it’s clear why Lena has become a popular artist here at Artfinder. She has over 150 five-star reviews commending her attention to detail.
Nataly Derevyanko
If you’re looking for the master of whimsical art, then you’ve come to the right place. Nataly’s signature miniature paintings are ethereal, gorgeous and every other positive synonym in the thesaurus. Her primary medium is paint, but dabbles in icon painting, illustration and web design. She’s even passing down her talents as an art teacher in Zaporozhye.
Cover image via Anastasia Parkes
