In the beginning there was a tree

Boris Shvec, Ukraine

A unique artist whose work is full of deep philosophical meaning. He was born in 1967 in a picturesque village in Vinnytsia. From early childhood, he felt that his calling was painting. Even when those around him did not understand his work and did not support it, the young artist persistently followed his own path. His first drawings reflected the world around him: nature, rural landscapes, everyday life. Over time, the artist's imagination began to draw new worlds. He drew inspiration from the books he read, his dreams, and music, which opened up an inexhaustible source of ideas in him. He received his education at the College of Culture and Arts, where he studied the specialty of a designer. However, real inspiration came to him when he listened to music. Compositions by bands such as Pink Floyd and Enigma became a kind of portals to new creative worlds. His sources of inspiration were not limited to music. The artist was fond of books about the universe, space, past civilizations and the history of mankind. He was looking for answers to eternal questions: about the meaning of life, the place of man in the world and his interaction with nature. He was especially pleased with walks alone in the forests and fields, where new ideas for paintings were born. The artist has devoted most of his professional life to creating portraits on monuments in a ritual company. This activity requires enormous emotional strength, because it is associated with preserving the memory of people. This work influenced his paintings, adding depth and reflections on life and death to them. A turning point in the artist's life was a difficult divorce from his wife. This event deprived him of inspiration and forced him to put aside his brushes for a long time. However, his love for art remained alive in him.