Yuri Katchan was born in Minsk, USSR, and graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Belarusian Polytechnic Institute in 1982. His early involvement in a school puppet theater, where he also created puppets, sparked a lifelong passion for the visual arts.

“I have always wanted to say something to the world or express myself in a meaningful way,” he reflects. “Since I am not a very social person, I chose to do it through art.” Although he does not focus on realistic representation, Katchan explores painting through color, shape, and texture to convey his thoughts and emotions. Drawing on his strong background in woodworking, he naturally incorporates wooden elements into his artworks, creating distinctive mixed-media pieces.