Igor Smirnov (1952)
Since the early 1980s he took part in the nonconformist, or “underground,” art movement in Russia. Igor Smirnov's works were shown at the most prominent “underground” exhibitions in Saint Petersburg, Moscow and Germany between 1982 and 1988.
Smirnov's work attracted the attention of John Whitehead, Deputy Secretary of State of the United States, during his visit to Moscow in December 1987 as part of preparations for President Reagan's meeting with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. At Mr. Whitehead's personal request to the USSR Foreign Minister Mr. Shevardnadze, the Soviet authorities permitted Igor Smirnov to emigrate to the United States. The artist happily settled in California, enjoying the advantages and inspiration of his new environment.