All four Ukrainian artists, part of the exhibition entitled “Ukrainian non-conformist artists in 1980s Paris: in search of Freedom of Expression” – Volodymyr Makarenko, Anton Solomoukha, Volodymyr Strelnikov and Vitaly Sazonov, gained recognition in the 1970s as young artists at that time in the USSR.

Living behind the “Iron Curtain” of the Soviet censorship they were dreaming of escaping to the West.

After receiving academical training in “Social Realism” of Soviet Union at the best art Academies, they decided, out of principle, not to paint Soviet revolutionary themes and glorified images of Communist leaders and workers.

Instead, the artists were creating paintings, figurative and abstract, that were full of what ‘Free World’ looked like to them: beauty of female nude, pastiche to Renaissance compositions, surrealistic Duchampian mise-en-scènes and color blocks of Rothko.

This exhibition showcases a strive to gain an expression of visual freedom by all four artists. Moreover, they were inspired by their compatriots who have achieved artistic success in Paris such as Vassily Kandinsky who was an active member of Izdebsky Salon and the Independent Odessans group and Sonia Delaunay, a principal founded of Orphism.

In summary, this exhibition is posing one important question: “Can an artist who was trained under Soviet propaganda be free?” For every artist in this exhibition the answer is: “yes!”