A Manitoba truck driver has turned his passion for art into a new exhibit

The Manitoba truck driver-turned-artist has been taking his unique 3D authoring technique to exhibitions around the world, with an exhibit called The World in Structure now taking center stage at the Steinbach Arts Council.

Growing up in Kyiv, Ukraine, Yevgeny Kabrum's passion for art began at an early age.

“I know I could draw all my life, I could draw, every time I drew in school, but it wasn't professional,” Cabrum said.

Kabrum says he became more dedicated as he got older, even taking classes in Kyiv and participating in children's art exhibitions before moving to Canada in 2007 to become a truck driver, where he worked until 2017 before making a big change.

“I'm going to sell my truck and clear my head, I'm thinking about paint, I'm going to start using foam.”

This 3D author's technique is used worldwide, including the US, Israel, Canada, Russia, and more. began to attract the attention of art galleries. The newest exhibition at the Steinbach Arts Council, titled Structure in the World, Kabrum says holds a special place in his heart because they were the first gallery to allow his work.

“They called me and said, come, I'm bringing my paintings, and I had my first exhibition in 2018,” Cabrum said.

Six years later, David Klassen, executive director of the Steinbach Arts Council, says it wasn't easy to show Cabrum's art once again.

“One of the reasons we love Eugene is his unique style and ability to build texture into these pieces and take a little off the canvas,” Klassen said.

As the Steinbach Arts Council lets you take them home, the amazing works are not just meant to be looked at or, as Eugene says, touched.

“We've sold a few of his pieces because that's what we do for the artist, we allow them to be displayed at the center and we help promote their individual artwork and bring it to the public,” Klassen said.

Cabrum said he can't do it alone because he likes to paint, so he leaves the marketing side of it to his son, Dan.

“When he started painting, I thought it was really cool, and then because my dad needed help getting paintings through galleries, we started emailing, and we really got into it, and I was like, not only do we have paintings in Winnipeg, but now we have them. I've been watching it both overseas and domestically, and it's been a really cool experience,” explained Dan Cabrum.

As Eugene returns to driving trucks, he says his love for art will never fade and hopes to one day turn his passion project into a full-time job.