Podium

Valentyne Metyk is an artist born in 1992 in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine.

The artist studied painting, drawing, and anatomy through private lessons. Since 2015, Valentyne Metyk’s art has been showcased in various exhibitions. Since 2019, the artist has been living and working in Kyiv.

Valentyne Metyk’s original paintings include pieces created in oil and acrylic. His art explores the spiritual fullness and emptiness of a person in the modern world. Through color and bodily symbols, Valentyne helps viewers understand the boundaries of human identity. His paintings depict a person’s inner energy and how it can vary depending on our actions and thoughts.

Some of his best works include “Cash Not Accepted,” “Everything Sees and Feels,” “Symbol of God,” “Girl in a Fur Coat,” and many more. UFDA has digitized several of his works, which are now available to view in full resolution on the website.

Valentyne Metyk’s art style is constantly evolving and being refined. Initially, his work was characterized by primitivism and quick sketches; now, it features complex compositions and intricate details. Now, symbolism is widely employed throughout Valentyne’s works

The visual language in Metyk’s artwork is expressed primarily through two colors: red and blue. Both reflect a person’s inner state. Red represents anxiety, negativity, and emptiness, while blue conveys energetic fullness, harmony, and understanding with the world. Purple is also used as an intermediate color, representing choice—the direction a person takes, whether a dark or light path. 

The artist experiments with the energy and emotions of people, aiming for viewers to discover their own traits within his paintings. 

When the war began, the artist did not stop painting; on the contrary, it shifted his perspective toward new themes, inspiring fresh ideas and directions in his work.