Incredible stories in the works of surrealist Mikhail Khokhlachev

Surrealism is a genre of painting that not everyone can understand. But almost everyone likes to look at pictures with fantastic and even absurd plots. Especially if they are bright, well-detailed and play with familiar stories from history or literature. Surrealist artist Mikhail Khokhlachev creates such breathtaking canvases that are hard to tear yourself away from.

Mikhail Khokhlachev, also known under the pseudonym Michael Cheval (Michael Cheval), was born in 1966 in the city of Kotelnikovo in the Volgograd region. The artist's father was a military man, but at the same time he had an unusual hobby for people in his profession - he painted pictures. Mikhail's paternal grandfather was a professional graphic designer, so we can talk about a real dynasty.

Mikhail drew from early childhood, but he did not come to great art immediately. First, he studied as a design engineer and only then graduated from the State Academy of Arts of Turkmenistan.

Life in Central Asia left a serious imprint on the work of Khokhlacheva. The artist has many paintings in which the philosophy of the East and its character are felt.

The first personal exhibition of Mikhail Khokhlachev took place when he was 24 years old. By this time, the artist already had serious authority and collaborated with many publishing houses. He also enjoyed working with theaters, designing the stage and creating sketches of scenery and costumes.

In 1997, Khokhlachev emigrated to the United States, where he began a new creative career. The West perfectly accepted the surrealist with a unique style and incredible performance.

Mikhail Khokhlachev's paintings are fantastic and even absurd. But at the same time, the artist actively uses the techniques of realism, making his unusual characters as lively and emotional as possible.

Did you know that surrealism is not only painting, but also photography? Traveler and photographer Thomas Barbe knows this better than anyone else.