NFT Edition: From Balakovo to Global Fame
DAMN TRUE’s Journey in Digital Art and NFTs
What does it take to turn raw talent into a global phenomenon? For DAMN TRUE, an NFT artist from Balakovo, Russia, the answer lies in resilience, innovation, and an unyielding passion for digital art. Starting as a waiter in a small town, DAMN TRUE has risen to become a revolutionary voice in the world of Web 3.0, creating art that challenges perceptions and pushes boundaries.
Blurring the lines between the digital and physical, their work captures beauty in unexpected places, turning life’s chaos into something meaningful. With an unparalleled artistic philosophy and experimental techniques, DAMN TRUE has carved a place for themselves on the global NFT stage, inspiring a new generation of digital creators along the way. Their story isn’t just about art—it’s about reimagining what art can be in a digital-first world.
Origins and Identity
Q: DAMN TRUE is such a powerful name. Can you tell us about the story behind it and how it reflects your artistic identity?
A: The part of my life where I've always worked as a waiter in restaurants, I can't erase their lives, as this job helped me stay afloat, earn money, and devote time to art.
I talked a lot with the guests and always told the truth about myself, what I was doing, and believed that people would like my art in the future, although the guests of the restaurant looked with a grin and perhaps did not believe that I would become an artist whose work would inspire other creators to experiment.
Who would believe a waiter?
Q: Your journey from Balakovo to global recognition is incredibly inspiring. How have your origins shaped your creative vision, and what challenges did you face transitioning to the digital art world?
A: Balakovo is a small town in Russia, where people always live more by instinct than by mind, unfortunately, and I always wanted to create new things, but the rules were dictated not by me, but by the society around me—the greyness of the city, the dirt, and the hopeless living of life. But I can't deny the fact that I still love my hometown. He made me who I am, and I am grateful for that!
They didn't know about digital art in Russia at all, but I saw a perspective in it. The rest were just surprised and said that no one needed it, since it was not paintings, but digital art.
For quite a long time I was faced with a misunderstanding of my art, but after a while, I was noticed by people from the UNITLONDON gallery in London— they bought the first work and inspired me not to stop, but to go further down this road.
Artistic Philosophy
Q: Insight and liberty seem to play a central role in your philosophy. How do these ideas influence your work, and what emotions or reactions do you aim to evoke in your audience?
A: It is important for me to convey to people, through the prism of my losses in life, that among the injustice and ugly things that surround us, that beauty is sometimes deeper than it seems at first glance.
I want to show people the inner beauty so that the viewer would look at my work for a long time, then come back and see more and more new details that they did not see for the first time! Thus, I form interest and love for my work through the distorted forms of visible things.
Q: Your work blurs the boundaries between digital and physical images. How do you approach this fusion, and what does it allow you to express that traditional methods might not?
A: I implement parts of photos from everyday life from my iPhone into my work.
I cut out the pieces, distort them, twist, color-correct the clippings, pull apart and twist them on the canvas until I see the perfect place for each piece.
Each work includes parts of my life and what I managed to capture in the photo. This makes them unique with the great background of my life, as an artist and as a person.
Evolution and Experimentation
Q: The rise of NFTs has transformed the art world. How has this evolution impacted your creative process, and how do you see the future of digital art evolving in this space?
A: I like the world of WEB 3.0; there are a lot of tools and variations to show my creativity. I think artists will agree with me that it has become easier to show their creations to the whole world, even without being able to travel personally to some point in the world. This is a huge plus for all creators, collectors, and galleries.
I imagine the future will include digital canvases in homes with built-in voice assistants that will showcase works by subscription.
We might also see digital catalogs and magazines alongside physical forms integrated into soft screens, showing animated works on sheets of "new paper."
And of course, more immersive art forms like holography and three-dimensional images will grow, breaking creative boundaries.
Q: You often work with experimental techniques and materials. How do these experiments contribute to your artistic evolution, and do you approach them with a specific intention, or is it more of a discovery process?
A: I can spend weeks or even a month experimenting on one job—I myself never know what result will suit me and will be the final one.
This makes it difficult for imitators to copy my art.
No one knows which new work I will publish, as it is born in the process and in the stream.
Collaboration and Community
Q: You’ve worked with musicians and other creatives. How do these partnerships influence your artistic process, and what role do they play in shaping your work?
A: Joint work is synergy, although I want not to be touched in the process, but simply trusted. I have a lot of experience and professional expertise. I can feel every detail of the painting.
I always try to work only with those whose business and position in life are close to mine. This affects the success of the final result.
I respect them, and they respect me!
Q: Social media has been instrumental in your journey. How do you use it to share your vision, and how does feedback from your audience influence your development as an artist?
A: Instagram has played a key role in my life.
Here I found the first people who are close to my art. I was found by galleries and companies who would like to work with me.
There is only one page, and the whole world sees it.
I never focus on reviews, as art is subjective. If I think the picture is worthy, it appears in the feed. If I doubt it, then I post it only in stories to evaluate the reaction—not to fix it but out of curiosity.
Future Vision
Q: What’s next for DAMN TRUE? Are there new themes, mediums, or collaborations you’re excited to explore that push the boundaries of your art even further?
A: In Russia, I act as a bridge for future generations who will continue to engage in digital art after me.
Now I'm going through all the stages and mistakes that people won't make anymore. This is very important for the evolution of art in Russia.
I plan to show my work all over the world. It is important for me to convey the idea to most people in different parts of the world.
Q: If there’s one lasting message or feeling you’d like your audience or collectors to take away from your work, what would it be?
A: DAMN TRUE is about the beauty inside each of us, in our very fast-changing world. Look deeper, and you will see her.
Final Thoughts:
My work always goes side by side with the difficult events of my life, which I overcome every time and motivate others not to give up.
Thanks to my father and a kiss in the sky to my mother, for giving me the talent to fuck art.
For those interested in exploring or collecting their art, visit DAMN TRUE at:
