Recommendations from the Kyiv Independent: Ukrainian street artist and muralist Volodymyr Manzhos (Patreon)

Dear Kyiv Independent community members, 

This is Sweta Brik-Jones, the e-commerce marketing manager at the Kyiv Independent

Today, I want to share with you the artwork from Ukrainian artist Volodymyr Manzhos — who is not only an acclaimed muralist, but is also my cousin. 

I remember visiting my cousin Volodymyr in Kyiv as a child, watching this quiet introvert craft otherworldly figures and drawings. While families worried about his fascination with graffiti in the 1990s, that same passion has transformed Vova into an internationally acclaimed muralist whose massive works now grace walls across Mexico, the United States, Australia, and throughout Europe. And, we’re proud to call him family. 

“Victory” mural in Podil, Kyiv

His latest creation in Kyiv completes his powerful "Time for Change" trilogy that began in January 2014 with a mural in India depicting the EuroMaidan protests. The second installment, painted in Kyiv in October 2014, addressed the beginning of Russian aggression in Donbas. Now, the final chapter titled "Victory" portrays a metaphorical story of a Russian bear seeking Ukrainian honey but meeting unexpected resistance — a testament to Ukrainian courage and strength. Through this trilogy, Volodymyr chronicles Ukraine's modern struggle from revolution to resistance, capturing our nation's resilience through his distinctive visual language.

“Victory” on Ukrposhta stamps, signed by former Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi

Beyond murals, Volodymyr recently collaborated with Ukraine’s national postal service Ukrposhta on charity stamps, some of which were signed by former Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi himself. All proceeds support Kids UA, an initiative by the Modern Ukraine Charitable Foundation that aids Ukrainian children who have been affected by Russia’s war. 

Volodymyr with British actor Pierce Brosnan in Paris (L), and with Ukraine’s chief of military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, in Kyiv (R).

His work has impressed celebrities from iconic British actor Pierce Brosnan to no less iconic U.S. filmmaker David Lynch, and even Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov. We invite you to explore Volodymyr Manzhos's extraordinary art — you might discover one of his mesmerizing murals just around the corner from where you live.