You're a Shrimp(Are You a Shrimp?)

Oleksandr Hrebeniuk, widely recognized by his pseudonym "graph0man", is a multifaceted Ukrainian artist who began his creative journey as a street artist in 2004 focused on minimalist and thought-provoking visuals.

Oleksandr Hrebeniuk is a Ukrainian artist who combines his architectural background with minimalist visuals to explore urban spaces, identity, and cultural change. His evolving practice challenges artistic boundaries and emphasizes the value of handmade art in capturing contemporary issues.

He was born on August 21, 1982, in Yasynuvata, Donetsk region, Ukraine. After obtaining a secondary education in 1999, he entered the Donbas National Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture at the Faculty of Architecture of Buildings and Structures. In 2005, the artist gained a specialist diploma. 

However, he almost did not work by profession (not taking into account a short internship at a design institute and several private firms), as he focused on artistic practices: painting and graphics, as well as street art. In 2011, he gathered the creative association "Good People" in the composition and created a series of murals in Donetsk.

After the occupation of part of the Donetsk region by the Russian Federation, in 2014 he and his family moved to Kharkiv, where he worked in a home workshop on his own works, performed commercial artistic works order, and taught in the art studio "Aza Nizi Maza". He took part in numerous group exhibitions and art festivals.

At the end of 2018, Hrebeniuk moved to Kyiv, where he continued to work in painting, graphics, manual printing, ceramics, digital illustration, and animation. From February 28, 2022, to the middle of 2023, he was a volunteer driver at the "Kyiv Volonterskyi" fund, traveled with humanitarian missions, applied camouflage to cars, made visualizations for meetings, etc.

Hrebeniuk's works are rooted in the exploration of urban spaces, identity, and cultural context, often reflecting on the rapid changes in Ukraine's urban environment. Through his evolving creative practice, the artist continues to push the boundaries of artistic expression, blending urban aesthetics with a deeper exploration of contemporary issues.

Oleksandr Hrebeniuk's original paintings include "The Yellow Warrior" (2019), "Attractors" (2021), "Evac" (2023), "Untitled" (2020), "Padre" (2020), "Face on Parquet. Self-Portrait" (2020), "Gloves on Ferric Chloride" (2020), "The Lavra. Quarantine" (2020), "Quarantine 2.0" (2020), among others. The artist also works in the technique of graphic drawing using charcoal or graphite on paper: "Air Raid Siren" (2022), "Volunteer Kyiv" (2022), "18.01.23" (2023); as well as in the monotype technique: "Bloom" Series (2023), "Zero" (2023), "Cartoon" (2023), "Magura" (2022), "Self-Portrait" (2021), "Redemption" (2023), "Fog Hunter" (2023).

Oleksandr Hrebeniuk’s replica paintings for sale are available at auction on the UFDA website. 

An architectural education greatly influences Hrebeniuk's art style, helping him balance form, space, and narrative in his artworks. Over the years, he has transitioned to painting and graphics, carving a distinctive niche in contemporary Ukrainian art. The artist tries to capture the essence and simplicity of his subjects, transforming them into timeless, emotive pieces. 

He also explores themes of authenticity and artistic discipline, often questioning the boundaries between academic rigor and creative freedom. His dedication to his craft reflects his belief in the enduring significance of handmade art in maintaining a connection between the artist and their audience.