Yuriy Kovalenko

(1931-2004)

was born in 1931 in the town of Priluki in Chernihiv region.

In 1959 he graduated from the Odessa Art College.

Since 1960 he worked as a make-up artist at Odessa Opera and Ballet Theater, from 1961 to 1965 - as a make-up artist at Odessa Music and Drama Theater. In 1965 Kovalenko joined the Leningrad Institute of Theater, Music and Cinematography. From 1971 to 1981 he taught at the Odessa Art College.

Yuriy Kovalenko had a great influence on the development of the Odessa School of Painting. The artistic world he created attracts the ability to convey the deep national characteristics. In the artist's work folkloric motifs are intertwined with the elements of theater, which brings about a peculiar and original style.

Participation in art exhibitions since 1968. The first personal exhibition of Kovalenko was held in 1977 in the foyer of the Rodina cinema. Since 1988 member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine.