Murt Burner was born on December 18, 1988, in Kremenchuk, Ukraine, and grew up in an ordinary yet loving family. His artistic journey began in a criminal neighborhood, where he started drawing on walls. Another key moment was his first tattoo at age 14, which sparked his interest in tattoo culture.

Although he had no formal art education, moving to Kyiv at nineteen with his girlfriend—who was studying graphic design—allowed him to delve deeper into creativity. Inspired by artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Edvard Munch, and Amedeo Clemente Modigliani, Murt became fascinated with expressionism, channeling emotional complexities into his work to reflect the chaotic world around him.

Later, he discovered customization, shifting his focus toward art professionally by customizing clothes and shoes, gaining recognition and collaborating with celebrities and brands. Over time, Murt developed his signature style, Met Expressionism (from “meta,” meaning “beyond something” or “about itself”). This approach merges realistic details with abstract elements, creating a symbiosis of recognizable forms and fantastical distortions. While often imbued with a somber mood, vibrant colors heighten the tension and evoke profound emotions. The “meta” aspect highlights not only the subject matter but also the process of artistic creation, placing his work “between worlds”—both real and imagined.

Having fully transitioned to painting, Murt’s art reflects personal experience and social upheaval, including the impact of the war in Ukraine. In addition to painting, he is also a musician, with his works available on all streaming platforms under the same name, Murt Burner.

In his own words, Murt describes his approach to life and art as follows: “I don’t make plans because I don’t know if I’m going to wake up tomorrow, but if I do wake up, I’m going to draw or write something.” His work stands as a vivid expression of resilience, capturing the complexity of human experience amid upheaval and transformation.