[4] He studied under Aleksandra Ekster at the Kiev Academy, and after graduation worked designing and building theater sets in Odessa and later Berlin from 1920 to 1923.

His interest in creating multimedia experiences during this period that drew together painting, film, and dance, led to collaborations with ballet impresario Sergei Diaghilev (stage designer for Ode by Léonide Massine, 1928) and choreographer George Balanchine.

[4] From 1940 to 1947, he provided illustrations for the surrealist magazine View, edited by Ford and writer and film critic Parker Tyler.

Tchelitchew's early painting was abstract in style, described as constructivist and futurist and influenced by his study with Aleksandra Ekster.

He continuously experimented with new styles, eventually incorporating multiple perspectives and elements of surrealism and fantasy into his painting.

[1] He met the American pianist Allen Tanner in Berlin in the 1920s and the two men became lovers, moving to Paris together to pursue their artistic careers.