Michael Cheval is an internationally acclaimed contemporary artist known for his strikingly imaginative Absurdist paintings. Born in Kotelnikovo, Russia, Cheval grew up surrounded by classical literature, music, and art, which deeply influenced his creative vision. After studying at the Ashgabat School of Fine Arts and later the prestigious Stroganov Moscow State University of Arts and Industry, he began his career as an illustrator and portrait artist before emigrating to the United States in 1997.
Cheval coined the term “Absurdist Art” to describe his work—surreal compositions that invert logic, twist reality, and challenge viewers to find hidden narratives within whimsical, dreamlike scenes. His paintings are renowned for their meticulous detail, technical mastery, and rich symbolism, often referencing literature, music, and philosophy.
His work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world and is held in prestigious private and public collections. Collectors are drawn to the intellectual depth and visual storytelling of his art, which blends fantasy and realism in a way that is both playful and profound.
Through his Absurdist vision, Michael Cheval invites viewers to question their perceptions of reality, encouraging them to explore the paradoxes, humor, and poetry hidden in everyday life.
