Note from the Editor:
When ShivaOm, first submitted his artist statement, his UV art instantly grabbed my attention. I had questions. A lot of them. So I sent them, and what came back is what’s below.
Feeling Creative? has had the honor of featuring a few artists from Ukraine, and that will never change. Their creativity, resilience, and generosity of spirit in sharing their work with the world during unimaginable circumstances deserves every platform we can give them. ShivaOm is no exception.
This is his story.
My name is Andrii Averin, also known as ShivaOm. I am a Ukrainian visionary artist, installation designer, festival decorator, musician, and founder of ShivaOm Art.
Since 2012 I have been creating visionary digital art, UV-reactive installations, festival canopies, stage decorations, optical illusion environments, and immersive art experiences. My work combines sacred geometry, psychedelic aesthetics, transparency, light, and layered visual perception.
One of my main artistic concepts is called "Symmetry of Dimensions" — a visual exploration of consciousness, perception, and the interconnected nature of reality. Through digital art, large-scale installations, and multi-layer transparent structures, I aim to create environments that transform as people move through them, turning light, shadows, and perspective into part of the artwork itself.
Over the years my work has been featured at festivals, exhibitions, music events, and art spaces around the world. In addition to visual art, I have organized festivals, designed immersive environments, and continue to develop new forms of interactive optical illusion art.
What got you into creating UV art?
My journey into UV and visionary art began after a powerful Ayahuasca ceremony I attended in Brazil in 2012. That experience completely changed the way I perceived art, creativity, and visual expression.
It was during that period that I discovered my potential as a psychedelic artist and started creating digital artworks using various software tools combined through my own original technique. Since then, I have tried to make every artwork more than just an image. Each piece is intended to be an energetic message, carrying symbolism, sacred meaning, and a deeper emotional connection.
Today my work can be found around the world. I create stage decorations, festival installations, immersive environments, event designs, web design projects, clothing, and interior art. I also organize exhibitions and collaborate with artists, festivals, and visionary communities internationally.
My mission is simple: to bring more magic, beauty, and love into the world through every artwork I create.
How do you create your artwork?
I never studied design professionally. As a child I enjoyed drawing by hand, but everything changed during my trip to Brazil in 2012.
I clearly remember returning to my friends' house after the ceremony. Everyone else went to rest, but I asked for a table, opened my laptop, and suddenly felt as if all creative software had become one universal language. Programs that I had only experimented with a few times suddenly felt completely natural to me. It was as if I could see the logic connecting them all.
The most surprising part was that I could work with these tools as if I had been using them professionally for many years. That experience shaped my creative process, which remains highly experimental and multidisciplinary today.
A single artwork may involve five or six different programs. I work with vector graphics, digital painting, 3D modeling, optical illusions, fractals, photography, and photo manipulation.
Some of my favorite tools include Mandelbulb and Cinema 4D for creating 3D fractals, Corel Painter for painting and illustration, Adobe Illustrator for vector artwork and decorative patterns, ZBrush and 3D modeling software for sculptural forms, and Photoshop for final composition and post-production.
Sometimes an artwork starts as a simple sketch in a notebook. Other times I use photographs of trees, roots, or natural structures, transforming them through symmetry and digital painting. Occasionally I work with photographic portraits and integrate them into larger visionary compositions.
Today I not only create the artwork itself but also oversee the entire production process. I work closely with a professional printing facility and collaborate with partners in many different countries to bring my designs into physical form.
Did you start with small works and gradually move into large-scale installations?
Yes. I started by printing individual artworks and smaller pieces. Over time I gradually moved toward large-scale festival decorations and immersive installations.
Today most of my work focuses on creating large projects for festivals and events around the world. I am also developing a new concept involving multi-layer transparent mesh installations that create three-dimensional optical effects through layered artwork.
Because of the war in Ukraine, I am currently unable to travel internationally with my installations as freely as I did before. However, I continue creating custom projects, producing new designs, and shipping my work worldwide.
Do you work with other artistic techniques or materials?
Absolutely.
Over the years I have been inspired by many visionary artists, including Luke Brown, Luminokaya, Hakan Hisim, Ichti Anderson, and many others from the international visionary art community.
In 2020 I participated in a major visionary art festival in Spain, where I had the opportunity to connect with artists from around the world and exchange ideas and experiences.
My work also extends beyond digital art into stage design, textile printing, immersive environments, event decoration, visual storytelling, and collaborative installation projects.
I collaborate with many international partners, some of whom distribute my designs, while others work with me on large-scale artistic productions and festival projects.
Were there any people or events that inspired you over the years?
One of the most inspiring moments of my career was a large charity exhibition organized by my partners in Italy.
The exhibition ran for an entire month in central Italy. Unfortunately, because of the war in Ukraine, I was unable to attend in person. However, I was still able to participate remotely by presenting my music during the exhibition through an online broadcast while my visual installations were being displayed.
It was a beautiful project that inspired not only me but many other people involved. Seeing my artwork and music come together in such a meaningful international event reminded me why I continue creating despite all the challenges.
Information about the exhibition:
https://spazio-supernova.com/en/thats-all-folks-2/
Photos:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DVi3quZDLvr/
What is it like being an artist in Ukraine today?
This is probably the most difficult question.
To be honest, it is extremely challenging.
The war has affected every creative person in Ukraine. Many artists lost the performances, exhibitions, and international bookings that previously provided their main source of income.
Travel restrictions have also created major difficulties. Many independent artists struggle with international mobility and professional opportunities abroad. Large commercial organizations often have more resources and support, while underground and independent artists face additional obstacles.
At the beginning of the war, I had a major project planned for Spain with funding of approximately €40,000. Unfortunately, despite reaching the final stages of approval, I was ultimately unable to participate.
Today I focus on creating new opportunities inside Ukraine. One of the projects I am currently developing is a rehabilitation and creative recovery initiative by the Black Sea in Odesa. The goal is to help veterans and people affected by the war reconnect with creativity, music, art, and community.
Many people have experienced life-changing injuries, including amputations. Some dreamed of becoming musicians, singers, or artists before the war changed their lives. Projects like this aim to provide support, inspiration, and new opportunities for self-expression.
The hardest part is not my own situation. It is seeing how many talented young people now need help rebuilding their lives.
Despite everything, I continue creating. Art remains a way to bring hope, connection, and meaning during difficult times.
Thank you for your support and interest in my story.
With love from Ukraine,
Andriy "Shiva Om"
BIO
Andrii Averin, known as ShivaOm, is a Ukrainian visionary artist, installation designer, festival decorator, and musician. Since 2012 he has created UV-reactive installations, sacred geometry digital art, and immersive optical illusion environments for festivals, exhibitions, and events worldwide. Currently based in Ukraine, he continues creating and shipping work internationally while developing a creative rehabilitation initiative for veterans and war-affected communities in Odesa.
Portfolio and links:
Website: Shivaom-Art.com
