Manitoba truck driver turned his passion for art into a new exhibit

A Manitoba truck driver turned artist is taking his unique 3D author technique to exhibits across the world, with a showcase called ‘The World in Structure’, which is now taking center stage at Steinbach Arts Council.

Growing up in Kyiv, Ukraine, Eugene Kabrun’s passion for art began at a young age.

“All my life I know I can draw, make some paintings, in school every time I make some paintings but it wasn’t professional,” said Kabrun.

Kabrun says while he grew older he became more dedicated to his craft, even taking lessons in Kyiv and taking part in children’s art shows until he moved to Canada in 2007 to become a truck driver, where he worked until 2017 before making a big change.

“I sell my truck and clear my head and I think about painting, and I start to use foam.”

This 3D author’s technique started to catch the attention of art galleries around the world, including the United States, Israel, Canada, Russia, and more. The newest showcase called the World in Structure at the Steinbach Arts Council, which Kabrun says has a special place in his heart as they were the first gallery to give his work a chance.

“They called me and said come, I come and bring some of my paintings and it was in 2018 as my first Exhibition,” said Kabrun.

Now six years later, Executive Director at Steinbach Arts Council David Klassen says it was a no-brainer to once again display Kabrun’s art.

“One of the reasons why we love Eugen is he has a unique style and ability to build texture into these pieces and bring them off of the canvas a little bit more,” said Klassen.

The stunning pieces aren’t just for looking, or as Kabrun says touching, as Steinbach Arts Council lets you take them home.

“We sold a couple of his pieces already, as this is something we do for the artist, we let them display them in our centre and we help them promote their own artwork and bring it to the public,” said Klassen.

Kabrun said he couldn’t do this alone, as while he loves to paint, the marketing side of everything he leaves to his son Dan.

“When he started getting into painting I was like wow this is really good and then we started emailing as my dad needed help getting paintings around galleries, and we actually got in and I was like wow we not only have paintings in Winnipeg but now we’re having it in the stares and abroad, it’s been a really cool experience,” explained Dan Kabrun.

And while Kabrun is back driving trucks, he says his love for art will never fade and hopes one day his passion project will turn into a full-time job.