Volodymyr Manzhos, known as Waone, was born in 1981 near Kyiv, Ukraine. His father, an avid art lover and collector of local artwork and rare Orthodox icons, filled their home with art books and Soviet-era magazines featuring meticulously hand-painted illustrations. Volodymyr's interest in art sparked at an early age, around 4 or 5 years old.

Waone's artistic journey began in 1999. His pseudonym, derived from the familiar Slavic name "Volodymyr," is a stylized form of the nickname "Вован" (Vavan), common in post-Soviet culture and adapted to the hip-hop aesthetic as "Wa-One."

Initially, he was part of the Ingenious Kids graffiti crew in Kyiv. By 2003, he had grown tired of traditional graffiti lettering, and with fellow artist Aec, he shifted towards a new style: visual storytelling through large, surreal murals rich with imaginative tales.

In 2005, Waone and Aec founded the artist duo Interesni Kazki, meaning "Interesting Fairy Tales" in Ukrainian. Their murals are populated with whimsical characters, intricate details, smooth gradients, and layered symbols, all weaving captivating stories. Over the next decade, the duo traveled widely, drawing inspiration from the cultures they encountered and painting murals that reflected local traditions. Their vibrant surrealistic works now adorn walls worldwide, from Australia to Mexico and San Francisco to Kyiv.

In early 2016, Waone introduced a new approach to his mural work, focusing on black-and-white pieces. Later that year, Interesni Kazki disbanded, and since May 2016, Waone has continued as a solo artist.