My name is Michael Cherno. I was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, in 1992. In 1993, my family and I moved to Germany, where I grew up. From a young age, I was drawn to things like paint, markers, and colours—creating something was always a natural impulse for me.

In 1998, we returned to Ukraine, where I went to school and spent the next 20 years of my life. I was fortunate to be raised in a large, creative family. My first art teacher was my father, and I was surrounded by the academic-style works of my grandfather. Growing up, art was always at the heart of everything. As a teenager, I began to express myself through graffiti, and this hobby had a profound impact on me. It helped me realize how much I truly loved the creative process and the world of art.

From 2009 to 2014, I studied at Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture. There, I studied the foundations of art, including art history, color theory, composition, and drawing techniques. However, I felt it wasn't enough. Wanting to learn more about academic painting, I began taking private lessons at the Ukrainian National Academy of Fine Arts and Architecture, where I further developed my skills in 2017-2018.

In the fall of 2018, I moved to Toronto, Canada, and continued my work as an artist. It was there that I discovered my unique style, which I call “Academic Vandalism“.

The Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 profoundly affected me in ways I hadn’t expected. I believe this has deeply affected every Ukrainian over the last three years. It taught me that life is unpredictable, and that it can change in an instant. Many things we once deemed important may, in fact, hold little value. This realization inspired me to focus on doing what I love and to embrace my journey as an artist. It felt authentic, and it felt right. Art has always been at the core of my interests, and I want to pursue it for as long as possible.

I’m grateful to see that more and more people connect with my work and support me. A recent inspirational example was having my art become part of Hiroshi Fujiwara’s private collection. Being noticed and appreciated by such a creative mind, especially someone with vast experience in design and fashion, is an incredible honor. It motivates me to keep pushing forward, and it inspires me to continue creating.