signed in Cyrillic, numbered '9/15' and dated '78' on the card l.r.enamel paint on cardboard, plexiglass and wood 'The pre-perestroika atmosphere was an extraordinary occurrence. It existed only because of the oppression and persecution by the authorities. We lived underground. There is nothing like this in the West. We are now like everybody else. We live normal lives now under normal conditions. Then, it was very special, like living in a hot house…. Since we couldn’t sell anything, we felt free' (Ivan Chuikov, quoted in ‘Soviet Dissident Artists’, Rutgers University Press, 1995).

Acquired directly from the artist by the present owner

The structure is slightly unstable and the apex is chipped. There is a small crack to the front of the base. There are a number of dents and small areas of staining to the wooden frame which has a layer of surface dirt. The card is creased at the top of the blue section and to the far left side of the pink cloud.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot provided by Sotheby's. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colours and shades which are different to the lot's actual colour and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Sotheby's is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the condition report is a statement of opinion genuinely held by Sotheby's. For that reason, Sotheby's condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot.