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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.
In 2008 - he was accepted as a participant in the "Dreamscape 2009" exhibition in Amsterdam and published in "Dreamscape" book among of 50 Worldwide famous surrealist artists.
In 2009 - Michael Cheval was chosen as the Best Of Worldwide Oil Artists by the “Best Of Worldwide Artists” Volume I Book Series (Kennedy Publishing, USA)
In 2009 - Palm Art Award Jury and Art Domain Gallery (Leipzig) certify that Michael Cheval is the winner of the First Prize of “Palm Art Award”.
In 2010 – Michael’s artworks have been published in "Dreamscape 2010" book among of 50 Worldwide famous surrealist artists.
In 2010 Michael’s artworks have been published in “Imaginaire” book in Denmark and participated “April’s fool” exhibition organized by “Fantasmus Art”
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.
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