Main image: Erm Wohol
The thirty-seventh interview through images by Andrew Sheptunov
Contemporary art often demands from an artist not only mastery but also the courage to step beyond conventional formats. Vasyl Yolokhov, known under the pseudonym Erm Wohol, is a vivid example of this. He does not simply paint pictures; he transfers the pulsation of the streets, the rhythm of cities, and the philosophy of freedom onto the canvas.
A laureate of international competitions and awards, this author masterfully balances on the edge of academic tradition and the uncompromising rebellion of street art.
Erm Wohol's unique optics were shaped largely by his passion for skateboarding. The gaze of a "skateboarder-landscapist" allows him to scan urban space in a completely different way, noticing the geometry of the streets, the dynamics of shadows, and the hidden energy of concrete. This street background became the foundation upon which his recognizable authorial style grew, where the speed of movement freezes in bold brushstrokes and complex color solutions.
A special place in the artist's work is occupied by the direction he created, Zirkular painting. It is not just a painting technique, but a special way of interacting with space and the viewer. His large-scale panoramic canvases, sometimes reaching five meters in length, require colossal physical dedication during the painting process and immerse the viewer in a continuous, looped visual experience. Such works become portals to the locations that left the deepest mark in the author's memory.
In his studio practice, Erm Wohol does not recognize technical limitations. He easily and intuitively mixes watercolor, oil, acrylic, and even levkas, creating textures that are spontaneous yet strikingly precise in mood. The artist deliberately breaks the strict rules of academic composition to make room for pure experiment. This freedom allows him to organically transition from classical landscapes to expressive abstraction and even three-dimensional sculptural forms.
Each of Vasyl's works is part of a grand journey that goes beyond a single canvas. The artist documents his creative quests by shooting cinematic short films about the process of creating his paintings. Romance is inherent not only in these videos but also in the artworks themselves: personal stories, chance encounters, and the captured rhythms of unfamiliar European cities, from Berlin to Paris, are often hidden behind the layers of paint.
Despite the global nature of his subjects and his international recognition, the local context remains incredibly important. It is significant that the artist names the monumental work "Skatepark Odesa" as his main calling card, the piece capable of introducing his art to an entirely new viewer. This choice reveals a strong connection to the southern cultural environment, which remains a powerful source of inspiration even against the backdrop of large-scale European panoramas.
Today, however, the artist's life has moved far beyond his familiar creative studio. Vasyl Yolokhov is serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (ZSU), defending the very freedom that has always been the main leitmotif of his art. That is exactly why this feature is being published as part of our special column "You in the army now," dedicated to creators whose lives are now inextricably linked with the defense of the country. This harsh context gives his vibrant works even greater depth and value.
To reveal the multifaceted world of Erm Wohol, we decided to abandon the traditional text interview. Before you is a frank visual dialogue, where the author answers our questions exclusively through his paintings. We invite you to dive into this gallery of meanings and read the artist's story in the language of his art.
1. Which of your works would you call the "loudest" and most uncompromising in terms of color?
2. Show a painting where the street aesthetics of street art intersect most densely with classical landscape.
3. Which work became the starting point for you in creating your own direction, Zirkular painting?
Video about it: https://youtu.be/Y0EzTVhU-_4
4. Which painting was created under the strongest impression of a specific location in your travels?
Video about it: https://youtu.be/rHoXREZiCkY
5. Show a work that required maximum physical activity from you during its creation.
Video about it: https://youtu.be/ROHsZGUUn-Q
6. Share a painting in which you managed to most accurately capture the mood and rhythm of an unfamiliar city.
Video about it: https://youtu.be/VaXyXnXLtrA
7. Which work best demonstrates your personal transition from the street environment to studio painting?
8. Which painting hides the most cinematic or romantic story of its creation?
9. Show an artwork in which you deliberately broke all the usual rules of academic composition.
10. Which of your works most accurately reflects the philosophy of the Zirkular painting direction today?
11. Show a work that brought you the greatest professional satisfaction after winning an international competition.
12. Which artwork would you choose as your main calling card to introduce yourself to someone who has never seen your art?
The art of Erm Wohol is vivid proof that true art speaks for itself and does not need long textual explanations. Each of his presented works pulsates with energy, a passion for continuous movement, and an unconditional love for life. His paintings, whether a delicate watercolor or a large-scale Zirkular landscape, are frozen dynamics that continue to live and unfold before the viewer.
Today, as Vasyl defends Ukraine in the ranks of the Armed Forces (ZSU), his art acquires a completely different, even more poignant resonance. Within the special column "You in the army now," we see not just a talented artist, but a person of immense inner strength. The very freedom he has always glorified in his street and studio canvases is now being defended by him on the most important, real front.
We thank Vasyl for this frank visual dialogue. The cultural context and support for the authors shaping the contemporary Ukrainian scene are now more important than ever. To follow Erm Wohol's creative journey, get inspired by his vision of the world, and be the first to know about new projects, be sure to subscribe to the artist's official pages:
