Rigel's Rise 1 - Andriy Klishyn

Rigel's Rise 1 - Andriy Klishyn

Andriy Klishyn - Artist Biography

Andriy Klishyn was born in 1958 in Ganja, Azerbaijan, into a family with a complex history of migration. His ancestors, originally free Cossacks from Ukraine, moved across the Orenburg region and Central Asia before Andriy eventually settled in Horlivka, Eastern Ukraine, in 1978. For over 30 years, he led a multifaceted professional life, working as an engineer, educator, and specialist in the banking and insurance sectors.

In May 2014, the outbreak of war forced Andriy to leave his home in occupied Horlivka and relocate to Kyiv as an internally displaced person. It was amidst this displacement that he discovered his true calling. At the age of 61, in 2019, Andriy began his professional career as an artist. This late start became a cornerstone of his practice, allowing him to channel a lifetime of intense experience, maturity, and psychological insights into a unique artistic vision.

Andriy specializes in Metaphorical Realism and Intuitive Painting. Working primarily with oil and palette knives, he creates thick, expressive textures that he describes as "painting with the heart". His works are not drawn from life but are extracted from the subconscious—images he feels he has seen in past or future lives. His series, such as "Psychedelic Images of War" and "Parallel Worlds," serve as a profound psychological documentation of human resilience.

Despite his relatively short career, Andriy has produced over 350 works, gaining significant institutional recognition. His art is held in prestigious private collections and forms part of the permanent collections of major museums, including: The I.P. Kavaleridze Museum-Workshop (Kyiv), where he held three consecutive solo exhibitions between 2023 and 2025. The Korsak’s Museum of Modern Ukrainian Art. The Lutsk Art Museum.

Andriy currently lives and works in the Kyiv region. Amidst the ongoing challenges, he continues his dedicated creative practice, using his art as a form of cultural diplomacy and a testament to the indestructible nature of the human spirit.