‘Where does Oleg Lipchenko’s strength as an artist lie? It rests in his technical versatility, his complex vision, also in the seamless manner of weaving art history into his oeuvre plus in his ability to engage with a diverse palette of subjects. Memorable compositions, ironic historical references and his superb technical execution all add up to a rarely encountered, profoundly significant talent.’
Peter Alexander Por, sculptor, Articsok Gallery owner
Oleg Lipchenko is a Ukrainian-Canadian visual artist, illustrator, and designer based in Toronto. His multidisciplinary creative practice encompasses painting, drawing, and printmaking, drawing inspiration from his background in fine arts and architecture. This experience contributes to the structural precision and conceptual depth that define his visual language.
Lipchenko’s art is characterized by symbolic and allegorical imagery, often rooted in literary, historical, and mythological references. Through intricate compositions and exquisitely detailed drawing, he explores philosophical themes such as the cyclical nature of existence, the tension between order and chaos, and the psychological dimensions of human experience. His approach combines classical European traditions with a contemporary sensibility, resulting in works that are both timeless and conceptually rich.
He is particularly renowned for his illustrated interpretations of literary classics, notably *Alice in Wonderland*, which earned him the Elizabeth Mrazik-Clever Award for Best Canadian Children’s Picture Book. His work has been widely exhibited in Canada and abroad, and is included in museum, corporate, and private collections.
Born 1957 in Bogodukhiv / Ukraine
Training:
2000 Digital Media Studios, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
1970-1974 | Art School / Poltava/ Ukraine
1974-1979 | Architectural Faculty / Poltava’s University / Ukraine
Bible Fsh, oil on canvas, 20″X28″
Exhibitions:
2025 – “Winter Mosaic” Exhibition, KUMF Gallery, Toronto.
2025 – “Colours of Autumn” Exhibition, KUMF Gallery, Toronto.
2025 – TOAF – Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, Toronto.
2024 – “Winter Mosaic” Exhibition, KUMF Gallery, Toronto.
2024 – TOAF – Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, Toronto.
2023 – TOAF – Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, Toronto.
2023 – Artfest, Kingston
2022 – Group Exhibition, KUMF Gallery, Toronto.
2022 – TOAF – Toronto Outdoor Art Fair, Toronto.
2016 – TOAE – Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Toronto.
2015 – Artist in residence, Culterra Magica, Tuscany, Italy.
2015 – ‘Rock Around a Year’, Articsok Gallery, Toronto.
2013 – Group show ‘Surrealism for 21st Century’, Articsok Gallery, Toronto.
2013 – ‘Northern Suite’, solo exhibition at Articsok Gallery, Toronto.
2013 – TOAE – Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Toronto. Best of Drawing & Illustration — Honorable Mention.
2013 – Group show, at Articsok Gallery, Toronto.
2012 – TIAF – Toronto International Art Fair, Toronto.
2012 – ‘FREUDOSCOPE’, solo exhibit at Bezpala Brown Gallery, Toronto.
2012 – Illustrated and designed ‘The Hunting of the Snark’.
2010 – Nominated for the 2010 Book of the Year Awards by ForeWord Reviews for illustrations to Humpty Dumpty and Friends (Tundra Books, 2009).
2009 – Illustrated and designed ‘Humpty Dumpty and Friends’ (Tundra Books, 2009).
2009 – Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Award for illustrations to ‘Alice in Wonderland’, IBBY Canada
2009 – Illustrated and designed ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’.
2006 – Group show, Jacob’s Gallery, Toronto.
2004 – ‘Bible Fish’, solo exhibition Arta Gallery, Distillery district, Toronto.
2002 – Solo exhibition, Gypsy X Gallery, Toronto.
2000 – Group show ‘Russian Artists in Canada’, Gallery 7, Toronto.
2000 – Group show, Michelangelo Gallery, Toronto.
2000 – Two-Person Exhibition with Pavel Mirzoyan (painter), DeMure Gallery, Toronto.
1998 – Art-Festival, Ukrainian House, Kiev, Ukraine.
1997 – Artists in residence in Miro Gallery, Snina, Slovakia
1996 – Group show, Castle of Hoffbourg, Vienna, Austria.
1995 – All-Ukrainian exhibition in the House of the Artist, Kiev, Ukraine.
1995 – Group show, Euro parliament, Strasbourg, France.
1995 – Membership in the ‘Union of the Artists of Ukraine’.
1994 – Solo exhibition, Euro parliament, Luxembourg.
1994 – Illustrated the book: ‘Katja, Kotja and Artificial Sun’, J.F.Schreiber Verlag, Austria,
1993 – Solo exhibition in the EuroStat, Jean-Monnet Building, Luxembourg.
1993 – Group show of the Art Group ‘April-91’ in Rathaus of Hoffheim-am-Taunus, Germany.
1992 – Group show, Art Group ‘April-91’, BRITA Gmbh headquarters, Nidenhausen, Germany.
1992 – Group show, Art Group ‘April-91’, Centre ‘Die Scheune’, Geizenheim, Germany.
1991 – Group show, Art Group ‘Green Island’ in Culture Centre, Neue-Isenburg, Germany.
1991 – Group show, Art Group ‘Green Island’ in Dresdner Bank, Wiesbaden, Germany.
1990 – Solo exhibit, Poltava’s Art Museum, Poltava, Ukraine.
1988 – Group show, Art Group ‘Green Island’, Moscow, Russia.
1987 – All-Ukrainian exhibition ‘Picturesque Ukraine’, House of the Artist, Kiev, Ukraine.
1987 – Exhibition of Poltava’s region artists, Poltava Art Museum, Ukraine.
1987 – Exhibition of Kremenchug artists, Art Gallery, Kremenchug, Ukraine.
1987 – Membership in the ‘Young Artist’s Association within the Union of Artists of USSR’.
1987 – All-Ukrainian exhibition of Graphic Arts in the House of the Artist, Kiev, Ukraine.
1987 – Solo exhibition, City Museum, Kremenchug, Ukraine.
1986 – Regional exhibition in City Art Gallery, Poltava, Ukraine.
1985 – Kremenchug artists Exhibition, City Art Gallery, Kremenchug, Ukraine.
Since 1983 – Local and regional exhibitions, Ukraine, USSR
“Civilization”, graphite pencil on paper, 19″X28″ (paper size 22″X30″)