Dmitriy Grechko

Critical Review — Dmitriy Grechko
by Anna Gvozdeva

Dmitry Grechko’s artistic journey is one defined by rebirth, intuition, and a profound sense of emotional urgency. Born in the Ukrainian SSR in 1985 to a family rooted in engineering and medicine, Dmitry grew up surrounded by structure, discipline, and the quiet expectation of a conventional career. Yet from early childhood he gravitated toward drawing as his natural language, using line and form to articulate feelings that words could not fully contain. This early impulse, though powerful, was set aside as he chose to pursue economics and later built a life within the corporate world. What makes his artistic awakening truly striking is not simply the late return to creativity, but the way in which it erupted—fully formed, courageous, and deeply connected to his lived experience.

After relocating to Israel at the age of 34, Dmitry encountered an environment that awakened latent artistic instincts. The vivid contrasts of Israeli landscapes, the coexistence of ancient and modern cultures, and the intense emotional atmosphere of daily life formed the catalyst for his transformation. It was in this new setting that Dmitry realized art was not a hobby to revisit, but the most authentic extension of his identity. His decision to abandon a stable career in favor of an uncertain artistic path becomes one of the defining themes of his work—an embodiment of risk, honesty, and resilience.

Dmitriy Grechko | Eternal Inspiration | 2023

Dmitry’s paintings immediately reveal an artist who approaches the canvas with physicality and freedom. His portraits are particularly compelling: expressive, fragmented faces rendered with bold palette-knife strokes, layered textures, and a luminous interplay of cool blues, warm ochres, and stark whites. These works do not seek to replicate the human face; instead, they deconstruct and reassemble it, exposing psychological tension beneath the surface. The eyes in these portraits—wide, alert, reflective—anchor the composition and act as emotional gateways. They carry a sense of vulnerability, while the surrounding abstract forms suggest turbulence, memory, and internal landscapes in constant motion.

Dmitriy Grechko | Sea Of Umbrellas | 2023

In contrast, Dmitry’s landscapes and figurative scenes, such as the beach vistas and the contemplative horse compositions, offer a different sensibility. Here, the palette knife becomes a tool of atmosphere rather than intensity. Broad, sweeping strokes capture the movement of water, the shimmer of sunlight, and the open, meditative stillness of nature. These works demonstrate his ability to shift between emotional registers: from the psychological density of his portraiture to expansive scenes that feel almost cinematic in their sense of space. The result is a body of work that feels both diverse and coherent, unified by a tactile, energetic approach to paint.

Dmitriy Grechko | Spirit Of The Plains | 2023

What ultimately distinguishes Dmitry’s art is its sincerity. There is no attempt to conform to stylistic trends or intellectual posturing; instead, each canvas is an exploration of feeling. His works carry the rawness of someone who rediscovered art not through academic discipline but through necessity—an instinctive drive to express, to understand, and to reclaim a part of himself that had been dormant. This authenticity resonates strongly, giving his paintings an emotional accessibility that draws the viewer in, inviting both contemplation and connection.

Dmitry Grechko stands as an example of the transformative force of creativity. His artistic career, born out of courage and personal reinvention, continues to evolve with striking intensity. As his visual language expands—balancing abstraction, figuration, and expressive texture—his work positions him as a compelling contemporary voice whose art is not only seen, but deeply felt.