MICHAEL CHEVAL
[ Biography ]
Michael Cheval was born in 1966 in Kotelnikovo, a small town in southern Russia. He grew up among paints and brushes, canvases and easels. His grandfather, a professional artist and sculptor, developed Michael’s love for drawing in his early childhood. A three-year-old boy, he could already draw complex multi-figured compositions, illustrating his fantasies and impressions.
In 1980, Michael and his family moved to Germany. His new setting made a great impression on the young artist. Museums and castles, ancient streets and wonderful landscapes of southern Germany permanently defined Michael’s tastes and predilections. Always interested in history and literature, Michael became absorbed in music. He organized a band and devoted a number of years to rock ‘n’ roll. He composed songs and wrote poetry.
After graduating school and serving in a Soviet Army, Michael moved to Nebit-Dag, a Turkmenistan city in the middle of Kara-Kum desert, near the Iranian border. Absorbing Oriental philosophy and the character of Central Asia, he began working as an independent professional artist, shaping his style and surrealistic direction. Michael collaborated with several theaters and publishing houses in Nebit-Dag and Ashgabad. In 1992, he graduated from Ashgabad school of Fine Art.
In 1990, Michael held his first personal exhibition in Turkmenistan’s National Museum of Fine Art. This was a significant event for the 24-year-old artist that showed high appreciation from the republic’s artist community. In 1994, Michael moved to Russia and worked in Moscow as an independent artist and an illustrator for various publishing houses, including the famous book-publishing house “Planeta”.
His decision to immigrate in 1997 to USA began a new epoch for the artist. He returned to the Western culture that greatly inspired him in his youth, but now he brought his own experience, his philosophy and vision. In 1998, he became a member of the prestigious New York’s National Arts Club, where in 2000 he was distinguished with the Exhibition Committee Award at the annual club exhibition.
Since 1998, Michael regularly exhibits in various New York galleries. He is a member of Society for Art of Imagination (London, UK) since 2002, and participates in annual European exhibitions held by the Association.
In 2003, Michael was accepted as a participant in the famous “Brave Destiny” exhibition, held in Williamsburg Art and Historical Center in Brooklyn. Among other participants were such celebrated artists as H. R. Giger and Ernst Fuchs.
Since 2001, Michael exhibits at the International Show, Art Expo, which is held annually in Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York.
In 2006, Michael’s works were accepted by “Feast of Imagination” exposition at H.R. Giger Museum Gallery, Switzerland.
Michael’s first monograph album “Lullabies” was published in collaboration with Interart Gallery in 2003. In 2007, he published his second album, “Nature Of Absurdity”, that defines his unique style and vision. Absurdity is a starting point of his creations. Michael identifies his art with Becket’s and Ionesco’s Theater of the Absurd and Greenaway’s and Bunuel’s films.
LIST OF EXHIBITIONS
"Coast Gallery" - Retrospective Solo Exhibition. Laguna Beach, CA. September 2007
InterArt Gallery A group art show, New York, NY, July - August 2007
International Art Expo – 2007 Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. New York, NY. March 2007
InterArt Gallery "Nature of Absurdity II".Art Album presentation. New York, NY. February – March 2007
InterArt Gallery "Solitaire Pantomime". New York, NY. September-October 2006
Brusen Gallery Selected works of Visionary Art. Copenhagen, Denmark. September 2006
H.R.Giger Museum Gallery "Feast of the Imagination", Switzerland, June-October 2006
InterArt Gallery A group art show "Art of Absurdity", New York, NY, June - August 2006
International Fiduciary, Inc. Fine Art Auction, Stamford, CT, April 2006
Brusen Gallery Selected works of Visionary Art. Copenhagen, Denmark. April 2006
International Art Expo – 2006 Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. New York, NY. March 2006
InterArt Gallery "Nature of Absurdity". New York, NY. February – March 2006
Gallery "From Heaven to Earth". Chelsea, New York, NY. September-October 2005
InterArt Gallery - A group art show "Art of Imagination". Chelsea, New York, NY. July-August 2005
The Society for Art of Imagination - Festival of Fantasy and Imagination. London, UK. May-June 2005
Castle Voergaard - Art Show "H.C. Andersen +". Castle Voergaard, Denmark. May 2005
InterArt Gallery - Selected works by members of The Society for Art of Imagination. Chelsea, New York, NY. April 2005
International Art EXPO – 2005 Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. New York, NY. March 2005
InterArt Gallery "Bouquet of Metaphors". Chelsea, New York, NY. February-March 2005
The Society for Art of Imagination "WATER". London, UK. December 2004
InterArt Gallery "Theater of Absurdity". Chelsea, New York, NY. September-October 2004
Independent Art & Graphics "Current Works". Lahaina, HI. August-November 2004
Max Medical "Art and Therapy". Brooklyn, NY. July-September 2004
InterArt Gallery "Art of Imagination". Chelsea, New York, NY. June-July 2004
Art Philadelphia-2004 International Fine Art Show. Philadelphia, PA. May 2004
International Art EXPO - 2004 Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. New York, NY. February-March 2004
InterArt Gallery "Lullabies". Chelsea, New York, NY. February-March 2004
Fine Art Metropolis "Fidelity Investments Art Show". Boston, MA. February 2004
Williamsburg Art & Historical Center "Brave Destiny". Brooklyn, NY. September-November 2003
InterArt Gallery "Time Difference". Chelsea. New York, NY. September-October 2003
Discovery Galleries "Current Works". Bethesda. MD. August-September 2003
Galleriart "World Surrealism". Kirkcudbright, Scotland. August 2003
InterArt Gallery "Theater of Surrealism". Chelsea. New York, NY. June-August 2003
The Society for Art of Imagination "Juried Exhibit of Art". Award of an Annual Exhibition, London, UK. July 2003
Independent Art & Graphics "Current Works". Lahaina, HI. May 2003
InterArt Gallery "World of Illusions". Chelsea. New York, NY. April 2003
International Art EXPO - 2003 Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. New York, NY. February-March 2003
InterArt Gallery "Sublimation of Conceptions". Chelsea. New York, NY. January 2003
KUSH Fine Art "Current Works". Lahaina, HI. January 2003
InterArt Gallery "Ironical Surrealism". Chelsea. New York, NY. December 2002
InterArt Gallery "Current Works". Chelsea. New York, NY. September 2002
Silvermine Guild Arts Center "Jewel of Russia". New Canaan, CT. June 2002
InterArt Gallery "Phenomenon of Absolute". Huntington, Long Island, NY. May-June 2002
Art Atlanta-2002 International Fine Art Show. Atlanta, GA, USA. May 2002
International Art EXPO - 2002 Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. New York, NY. February-March 2002
Goldmark Gallery "World Surrealism". Uppingham, UK. March 2002
The Society for Art of Imagination "Juried Exhibit of Art". Award of an Annual Exhibition, London, UK. February 2002
InterArt Gallery "Sounds & Shadows", Huntington, Long Island, NY. January 2002
InterArt Gallery"Wind of Change", Huntington, Long Island, NY. November 2001
Opera Gallery New York, NY. Fall 2001
InterArt Gallery "Illusions", Huntington, Long Island, NY. June 2001
102nd Annual Exhibiting Artist Members Exhibition of the National Arts Club, New York, NY. December-January 2001
Summa Gallery New York, NY 2001
Artique Gallery New York, NY 2000
101st Annual Exhibiting Artist Members Exhibition of the National Arts Club 2000
Exhibiting Committee Award, New York, NY. January 2000
Art Exchange Gallery, "Fine Art exhibition", Brooklyn, NY. August 2000
Caelum Gallery New York, NY. June 1999
The Spy Cafe Charity Auction, New York, NY. May 1999
Zalman Gallery Summer Exhibition, New York, NY. July 1998
ART BOOKS BY MICHAEL CHEVAL
"Lullabies" Hard cover. 96 pages full colored conceptual art album with 86 images of oil paintings and 18 drawings. 2004
"Nature of Absurdity"
Hard cover. 128 pages full colored conceptual art album with 87 images of oil paintings. 2007
PRESS RELEASES
"Michael Cheval is an artist who has incredible perception of the human condition and the massive talent to interpret it in the most sumptuous way on canvas with the technique of the Old Masters. He paints in oil and the rich depth is achieved by multiple layers. His artistic vision and mastership leave you in awe. The book "Lullabies" is the perfect present for someone you cherish but even better for a touch of self-indulgence."
/Society for Art of Imagination. INSCAPE Magazine. Autumn-2004/
"Cheval's works are so ethereal and his world so strange that it require a keen eye to note the allusion."
Daily News August 17, 2003
PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
Ian Gillan (singer Deep Purple, UK)
Prof. Ernst Fuchs (artist, Austria)