A colorful abstract portrait of a woman with intricate patterns, bright colors, and exaggerated facial features, set against a black background with a cityscape at the bottom. The portrait includes large red lips, dotted patterns, and mixed shapes. Text in the lower left corner reads 'Not dead yet. Kyiv 2015.'
Mikael Colville-Andersen painting during a missile strike in Kyiv, 2024

Art by Colville-Andersen

Mikael Colville-Andersen (b. 1968), Danish artist.

What started with impatient drawings and occasional acrylic paintings in the early 1990s, soon morphed into full exhibitions in Copenhagen from 1996. It was then I found the materials that would prefer to use - and rarely deviate from: plaster on wood. My father was a plasterer and the scent of his clothes after a hard day of work is firmly implanted in my olfactory memory. The texture continues to thrill me, even though I cast myself headlong into other materials like an unfaithful rapscallion on occasion.

There was a flurry of exhibitions in Denmark between 1996 and 2002 where, to my surprise, most paintings were sold. I wandered into other creative pursuits but kept up the habit of making crappy sketches and grand plans for works. In 2017, I was yanked briefly back into the game with a dual exhibition in Reykjavik. And in late 2023, another hand grabbed mine and pulled me firmly back into art. This has resulted in two exhibitions in Kyiv, in March 2024 and April 2025.

I didn’t come to Ukraine to make art - I came to volunteer to help the Ukrainian people. But living here in a war zone with constant missile attacks… let me tell you… this war made me need to make art. Art and art therapy is a medicine and this series is directly and completely influenced by my experiences in Ukraine and painting in Kyiv.

See the Kyiv Works 2024/2025 here

Selected Recent Stuff

  • Colorful abstract portrait of a woman's face with vibrant patterns and shapes, featuring large red lips, prominent black eyelashes, and cityscape details at the bottom. Signed "Not dead yet." by Kyiv, 2023.

    Not Dead Yet

    Mikael Colville-Andersen (2025)

    russians didn’t kill me.

    Acrylic, marker on canvas

    80×80 cm

    €500

  • A blackboard filled with tally marks in white chalk, with one yellow tape running horizontally across the middle of the board that reads '502 KYIV 2024' repeatedly.

    502 Kyiv 2025

    Mikael Colville-Andersen (2025)

    Every air raid alert in Kyiv in 2025. Every single one.

    Acrylic, marker on canvas

    80×80cm

    €500

  • A textured wall with numerous abstract sketches on small pieces of paper. In the center, there is large red text that reads 'MISUSE IRRELEVANT THERAPY.' The artist's initials and date are in the bottom right corner.

    Missile Strike Art Therapy Baby (2024)

    Арт-терапія після ракетного удару, мала 2024

    After the missile attacks in Kyiv on 29 December, 2023 I sat down at started drawing female forms. An anxious reaction. I don’t know why. Art therapy in an extreme situation, I guess. Then I decided to present them on a canvas as a testament to the emotional state after such a violent event. Whoever these women are, they helped me get through that shit.

    Після ракетного обстрілу Києва 29 грудня 2023 року я сів і почав малювати жіночі форми. Тривожна реакція. Я не знаю чому. Арт-терапія в екстремальній ситуації, я думаю. Тоді я вирішив викласти їх на полотні як свідчення емоційного стану після такої бурхливої ​​події. Хто б не були ці жінки, вони допомогли мені пройти через це лайно.

    Ink, plaster, acrylic on canvas // Туш, гіпс, папір, акрил на полотні.

    100 x 100 cm

    € 800

  • Mosaic artwork with sections of small colorful glass pieces arranged in a pattern, featuring white, purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red colors.

    Black Sea Beach Day with Missile Strike

    Mikael Colville-Andersen (2025)

    It was an eventful day near Chernomorsk.

    Acrylic, plaster, fragments of an old russian-language LP (now cancelled), fragments of broken bicycle lights and reflectors

    50×50cm

    €400

  • A mixed media artwork with the words 'The Thrill is Gone' written in bold black letters on a white background, surrounded by colorful splashes and fragments, including a broken clock face and scattered leaves or debris.

    The Thrill Is Gone (2024)

    Енергія вичерпана (2024)

    We were listening to B.B. King in the studio while painting and this song came on. I remembered a journalist who was leaving Kyiv in 2023 who said the same thing. He was leaving because the counteroffensive was failing. Yes, he was a dickhead. Then there was a thing with me and a girl. So… triple sub-text title, boom!

    Ми слухали Бі Бі Кінга в студії під час малювання, і зазвучала ця пісня. Я згадав журналіста, який виїжджав з Києва у 2023 році, і сказав те саме. Він йшов, тому що контрнаступ не вдавався. Так, він був дурнем. Потім сталася історія зі мною та дівчиною. Отже... потрійний підтекстований заголовок, бум!

    Ink, plaster, flowers, acrylic, an old record, on canvas // Туш, гіпс, акрил, квіти, стара вінілова платівка, полотно.

    100 x 100 cm

    € 800

  • A large brown paper cone with handwritten words, taped to a white wall.

    C’est Magnifique, mais c’est ne pas la guerre: c’est de la folie (2024) SOLD

    Це великолепно, але це не війна - це безумство (2024)

    (It’s magnificent, but it is not war - it is folly)

    Quote by French general Pierre François Joseph Bosquet, while watching The Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War of 1853-1856. The Ukrainian culture of giving flowers is the reference for me. But less flowers are given in happy moments. More flowers on graves of dead heroes.

    Цитата від французького генерала П'єра Франсуа Жозефа Боске під час перегляду "Нападу легкоброновиків" під час Кримської війни 1853-1856 років. Українська культура дарування квітів - це посилання для мене. Але менше квітів дарують у щасливі моменти. Більше квітів на могилах загиблих героїв.

    Paper, string, pencil, plaster, varnish on canvas // Папір, нитка, олівець, гіпс, лак на полотні

    100x100 cm

    € 800 SOLD

  • A mixed media painting of a woman with yellow hair and sad eyes, surrounded by text mentioning a vacation, coffee, kids, and friends, with humorous questions about death and having kids.

    Snafu Ukraine (2024) SOLD

    СНУПШ Україна (2024)

    This is the product of not only countless conversations between Kalyna and I but also with many other Ukrainian friends. The crazy existence we all live - trying to be normal while the missiles and drones of the invaders keep on coming.

    Результат не лише безлічі розмов між Калиною та мною, але і з багатьма іншими українськими друзями. Божевільне існування, яке ми всі ведемо - намагаючись бути нормальними, поки ракети та дрони загарбників продовжують приходити.

    Plaster, paper, ink, pencil, acrylic, varnish on wood // Гіпс, папір, чорнило, олівець, акрил, лак на дереві

    50x50 cm

    € 500 SOLD

  • A colorful abstract painting of an elderly person wearing a green head covering, with blue eyes, wrinkles, and a mustache, against a red and pink background, with the text "IT NEVER F***ING STOPS!" at the bottom.

    It Never Fucking Stops (2024)

    Це ніколи не закінчиться (2024)

    I met this strong old woman in her late 80s in the bombed suburbs of Chernihiv in 2022. She showed me her destroyed house and how she now lives in her garden shed. She didn’t know how she would rebuild her home. Then she said to me, “It never stops”. I added “fucking” in the title. She cried. Women like her, at that age, should never, ever have to cry anymore. Fuck Russia.

    Я зустрів цю сильну стару жінку у віці понад 80 років у зруйнованих передмістях Чернігова у 2022 році. Вона показала мені свій зруйнований будинок та як тепер живе у своєму садовому будинку. Вона не знала, як вона відбудує свій будинок. Потім вона сказала мені: "Це ніколи не закінчиться". Я додав "чортовий" у назві. Вона плакала. Жінки такого віку, як вона, більше ніколи, абсолютно, не повинні плакати. До дідька Росію.

    Plaster, ink, pencil, acrylic, varnish on wood // Гіпс, чорнило, олівець, акрил, лак на дереві

    50x50 cm

    € 600

  • An artistic piece featuring a cosmic or galactic scene with the text 'БlasТpocTa' at the top. A yellow strip with handwritten Cyrillic script runs across the middle. The scene appears through a cracked or wrinkled surface, giving a distressed appearance.

    Blast Proof Tape (2024) SOLD

    Вибухостійка стрічка (2024)

    A young soldier said this to me in a train compartment in 2022. The windows were covered with tape to protect against glass shards. I took this photo of the sunset outside of the window.

    The text in English means “I’m getting fucking tired of this filter”

    Молодий солдат сказав мені це в купе потяга в 2022 році. Вікна були заклеєні стрічкою, щоб захистити від сколів скла. Я зробив це фото заходу сонця за вікном.

    Plaster, paper, tape, ink, varnish on canvas // Гіпс, папір, стрічка, чорнило, лак на полотні

    50x50 cm

    € 500 SOLD

  • A mixed media artwork of a man with exaggerated features, including large sad blue eyes, a prominent nose, and a large curly beard, wearing a green shirt with a yellow emblem, and a textured background with Ukrainian text above his head.

    Please?

    Please? (2024)

    Будь ласка? (2024)

    A friend said this to me as he was getting ready to be mobilised to the front lines. “Is she going to remember me?” Fear of death is strong, but this was his greatest concern. I fucking cried.

    English: “Is she going to remember me?”

    Друг сказав мені це, коли він готувався бути мобілізованим на фронт. "Вона буде пам'ятати мене?" Страх смерті сильний, але це було його найбільше занепокоєння. Я плакав, чорт забери.

    Plaster, ink, pencil, acrylic, varnish on canvas // Гіпс, чорнило, олівець, акрил, лак на полотні

    50x50 cm

    € 500

  • A black and white mural featuring a child with a downward gaze, with a background of building facades, and large Cyrillic text at the top and bottom. The message suggests a plea or demand directed at a figure of authority.

    Memory (2024)

    Mikael Colville-Andersen

    Пам'ять (2024)

    A dead ruzzian soldier will be remembered by a handful of poor villagers and maybe a dog. A Ukrainian soldier will be remembered by a nation and for generations.

    Please remember this guy. Please remember them all. Never forget their sacrifice. I know you will remember them - but please do it.

    English: “Don’t forget me. At the very least, remember me”

    Кацапа, загиблого у бою, запам'ятають кілька бідних селян десь – можливо, й собака. Українського військового, померлого в бою, запам'ятає вся нація на кілька поколінь. Але, будь ласка, не забувайте його. Будь ласка, запам'ятайте їх усіх. Ніколи не забувайте їх жертву. Я знаю, ви запам'ятаєте – але будь ласка, зробіть це. Будь ласка.

    Plaster, paper, ink, acrylic, varnish on poster board // Гіпс, папір, чорнило, акрил, лак на пінокартоні

    50x50 cm

    € 500

  • Chalkboard with handwritten words related to coffee and cafe culture, and a sketch of a person with a fuzzy face at the bottom, signed "MC" with the date "2023".

    Self-Portrait (2024)

    Автопортрет (2024)

    Hi. This is me. It might be you, too. Who knows. All I know is that sometimes I’m so fucked. Sometimes not.

    Привіт. Це я. Це можеш бути і ти. Хто знає. Все, що я знаю - іноді я такий заплющений. Іноді ні.

    Acrylic, varnish on canvas // Акрил, лак на полотні

    50x50 cm

    € 500

  • Street art mural of three black line drawings of raised fists, each with a number on the wrist, against a textured beige wall. Above the fists, the word 'MOOD' is painted in black. There is a tied string and a small round object attached to the rightmost fist.

    Ukrainian Moods (2024)

    Українські настрої (2024)

    It feels like it can be summed up like this:

    - Resilience

    - Fuck Russia (or fuck everything)

    - I hope we survive

    You can move the magnet based on your mood.

    Здається, це можна узагальнити так:

    -Витривалість

    -Пішла Росія (або все підряд)

    -Сподіваюся, що ми виживемо

    Plaster, acrylic, metal, string, ink, varnish on canvas // Гіпс, акрил, метал, нитка, чорнило, лак на полотні

    50x50 cm

    € 500

  • A colorful, abstract drawing of a woman's face with exaggerated features, large red lips, and wide-open eyes with geometric patterns. She is holding a black sign with white text that reads, 'Make this shit stop.' The background and face are filled with scribbles and vibrant colors.

    Make This Shit Stop

    Mikael Colville-Andersen (2025)

    Pastel, pencil, acrylic on canvas

    40×60cm

    € 200

Contact Me to Buy Some Art, Yo
Creating in Kyiv
A person with glasses and tattoos on their arm is kneeling on the floor, working on a large abstract black and white painting on a canvas. The floor is covered with plastic, and art supplies are nearby.
An older man with gray hair, wearing sunglasses and a blue t-shirt, is drawing with markers on a colorful canvas outdoors. The background shows a brick building with multiple windows and air conditioning units.
Older man drawing on a large sheet of paper outdoors under a partly cloudy sky, with colorful markers scattered on the table.
A shirtless man with long gray hair and glasses drawing on a large canvas on the floor, surrounded by various colored markers and art supplies.
A person lying on their stomach on a wooden floor, painting a portrait of a woman on a canvas, surrounded by painting supplies.
An artist working in a studio surrounded by various paintings and art supplies, including paint cans, brushes, and cups. The artworks include abstract and text-based pieces.
A person with blonde hair and glasses is crouching and using a hammer on a wooden surface, illuminated by red light. Behind them are vinyl records stacked vertically.
A man with gray hair and sunglasses wearing a sleeveless shirt, working on a white surface outdoors in front of a building with a window and air conditioning unit.
A man with gray hair and glasses is leaning over a dining table, working on a large sheet of paper with a yellow candle. The table holds a jar, a red mug, a bag of Nescafé Gold coffee, and a few small items. There are two chairs, with one pushed back
An artist kneeling on a plastic-covered floor, working on a large, vertical striped abstract painting in a studio. Several other artworks and art supplies are scattered around him.
A shirtless man with tattoos and long hair, wearing sunglasses and a black shirt draped over his head, stands with his arms outstretched and head tilted back against a plain background.
A person with platinum blonde hair, sunglasses, and black clothing sitting on a wooden chair in a living room, with a large flat-screen TV, stereo system, and colorful floral curtains in the background.
An artist with gray hair and tattoos on his left arm, wearing a black shirt, holding a painting of Jesus Christ with a green halo and pink background, in a room near a window.
An elderly man with gray hair and tattoos on his arms sits on the floor of an art studio surrounded by artwork, including colorful signs with provocative messages and masks, with shoes and a wine bottle nearby.

The Kyiv Snafu* Drawings

  • A drawing of an elderly woman with a scarf around her head, overlaid with handwritten text expressing longing and grief. The text reads: 'DUNNO, I WAS KINDA JUST HOPING TO DIE IN MY SLEEP IN A MOTHERLAND THAT WAS FREE AND WHERE I ONLY WORRY A BAD HARVEST, BUT AT LEAST MY HUSBAND DIDN'T LIVE TO SEE ALL THIS, BUT I MISS HIM SO MUCH.'

    FML (2023)

    I met this old, strong woman in a bombed suburb of Chernihiv in 2022. She showed me her destroyed home and how she lived in her garden shed. She didn’t know who would help her rebuild. Her husband died before the full invasion - she was glad he didn’t live to see it all. She cried. FML… a woman like that, at that age, should never have to cry.

    Text: “I dunno, I was kinda just hoping to die in my sleep in a Motherland that was free and where my only worry is a bad harvest, but at least my husband didn’t live to see all this, but I miss him so much.”

    Ink, pencil, blood on paper (22.5 x 32.5 cm) 2023.

    €150

  • A black and white poster with a line drawing of a sad woman's face and the text 'I'M SO TIRED OF BEING SO FUCKING RESILIENT' at the bottom.

    Unpopular Opinion (2023)

    A friend of mine said this to me in 2023. I totally understand it.

    Ink, pencil on paper (20.3 x 30 cm) 2023

    €150

  • A pencil sketch of a woman with long, wavy hair, looking over her shoulder. The sketch includes detailed facial features and a partial view of her torso, with scribbled lines above her head suggesting hair or movement.

    Trying to Keep it Together (2023)

    Drawn during a missile attack on Kyiv. In my apartment in Podil.

    Pencil on paper (20.5 x 30 cm)

    €150

  • A hand-drawn sketch of a topless woman with long, messy hair and a serious expression. Beside her, handwritten text discusses being born during a missile strike on January 24, and questions the rules for art therapy.

    War Baby (2023)

    Drawn during a missile attack in Kyiv.

    Pencil, ink on paper (22.5 x 32.5)

    €150

  • Conception (2023)

    Drawn during a missile strike in Kyiv.

    Ink, pencil on paper (22.5 x 32.5 cm)

    €150

  • A hand-drawn sketch of a woman with long, tangled hair and sad facial expression, with handwritten text beside her.

    I'm Good With That (2024)

    Drawn during a missile strike in Kyiv.

    Ink, pencil on paper (22.5 x 32.5 cm)

    €500

  • A hand-drawn illustration of a female figure with long hair, shown in a minimalistic style with lines indicating muscle and body details. The drawing is surrounded by geometric lines. Above, the text reads "MISSILE STRIKE THERAPY" in red, and below, the word "DISTRACTION" is written in pink.

    Missile Strike Therapy Baby (2024)

    Drawn during a missile strike in Kyiv.

    Ink, pencil on paper (20.5 x 30.2 cm)

    €150

Contact to Buy

Random Previous Works

  • Mixed media artwork with a black circle, beige background, and the phrase 'FUCK WITH A' visible beneath the circle.

    Unfuckwithable (2021)

    Ink, acrylic, plaster on wood. (100 x 100)

    Private Collection

  • Wall with red painted large text reading "LOVE ME FOREVER" and a smaller black painted sign below saying "Love Me forever" with some black and red markings and marks on the wall.

    Love Me Forever (2000)

    Ink, acrylic, plaster on wood.

    Private Collection

  • A weathered wall with torn posters featuring German text and a red vertical line in the center. The visible part of the quote reads, 'like the man said,'nicht wieder sozusung''.

    Zusammen (2002)

    Ink, acrylic, plaster on wood (100 x 100)

    Private Collection

  • Abstract mixed media artwork featuring red, pink, black, and gray textures with visible brushstrokes and layered paint.

    Fuckjavik (2017)

    Ink, acrylic, plaster on wood

  • Genius Loci (2017)

    Ink, acrylic, plaster on wood 50x50

  • A textured stone sign with a map of Metropolis and the words 'METROPOLIS' carved into it.

    Metropolis

    Ink, acrylic, plaster on wood

  • Abstract textured artwork on a canvas, featuring two abstract figures with elongated, geometric shapes and lines, and partially visible letters in white and faint colors.

    City (2017)

    Ink, acrylic, plaster on wood

  • A square carved on a surface with the words 'BY STAY YOUR KAE UMPIN' embossed in capital letters.

    ByStadBorgByurKaupunki (2017)

    Ink, acrylic, plaster on wood

  • The word "BEYOND" carved into a textured, cracked, light-colored surface.

  • Abstract painting with a map of a river and neighborhood, with the words "St. Paul" faintly visible in textured white paint.

    Stad (2017)

    Ink, acrylic, plaster on wood

  • Abstract black and white painting with the words 'OUR HISTORY' in large, white, textured letters. Features a grid pattern and layered brushstrokes.

    Urbs

    Ink, acrylic, plaster on wood

  • Close-up of a textured black background with large white letters spelling 'C A T Y' and a red strip on the side with the white text 'SANDERS'.

    City (2017)

    Ink, acrylic, plaster on wood

  • Four abstract mixed media artworks featuring figures, symbols, and textures with a blend of bright and earthy colors.

    Selected works from 1996

    Plaster, papier maché, watercolor, acrylic on wood.

    Private Collections.

  • Four images of weathered, graffiti-covered walls with painted and handwritten text in French and English, some partially obscured.

    Selected works from 2002

    Plaster/acrylic/ink/watercolor on wood.

    Private Collections.

  • Collage of four weathered posters and graffiti on a wall, featuring mostly red text including words like "VINCIT," "ZUSAMMEN," and "mod," with torn paper, peeling paint, and some small photographs or stickers.

    Selected works from 2000

    All in private collections

    Plaster/acrylic/ink/watercolor on wood

  • Painting of a humanoid figure with yellow shirt and green skin, labeled with experimental details like 'Bronze Age Tecto Buddy' and various markings, on a background with symbols and text in a frame.

    Bronze Age Techno Buddy (1996)

    Ink, acrylic, plaster, papier maché on wood.

    Private Collection.

  • Colorful abstract artwork with the words "Marigale recepse est Vive" written in vibrant, uneven letters against a multicolored background with splashes of paint and swirling patterns.

    Navigare (1994)

    Ink, watercolour on paper

  • A woman with dark hair, sitting at a table, leaning on her hand, with a thoughtful or bored expression. She is partially undressed, wearing a skirt and red shoes, with her chest exposed. There is a large red blood splatter on the left side of the image. The background includes a colorful abstract painting on the wall and a detailed patterned rug underneath the table.

    Waiting for Gouda (1994)

    Acrylic, watercolour on paper

  • A watercolor painting of a person sitting with their knees to their chest, their head in their hands, surrounded by swirling colors and splashes of paint.

    Cornered (1994)

    Ink, acrylic on paper

  • A watercolor-style drawing of a nude woman sitting on the floor in a corner of a room, with her head resting on one hand and her eyes closed, surrounded by red walls and a tiled floor with splattered paint.

    Cornered2 (1994)

    Ink, acrylic on paper

  • Colorful abstract illustration of a nude woman with long hair, kneeling on a surface with her hands resting on the table, surrounded by a green background.

    Mother Earth (1994)

    Ink, watercolour on paper

  • A watercolor portrait of a person's face with blue eyes, green hair, and earrings, painted in a loose, expressive style.

    Self-portrait (1994)

    Watercolour on paper

  • A detailed black and white sketch of a hand holding a square object with a face drawn inside it. The face appears to have a fierce or intense expression with prominent eyebrows, eyes, nose, and mouth, and is surrounded by intricate linework.

    Future Mirror (1995)

    Ink on paper

  • Line drawing of a topless woman with curly hair, smiling and looking to the right.

    Juliette (1991)

    Ink on paper

  • Line drawing of a woman's face with curly hair, with a handwritten note on the right that reads "Such a pretty thing all curls and sadness she stares through me to a world beyond..."

    Chloe (1991)

    Pencil on paper

  • A colorful painting of a landscape scene with a straight road on green grassy land, mountains with snow-capped peaks in the background, and a sky filled with swirling clouds and wispy white streaks.

    Storm (1990)

    Acrylic on paper