An exhibition of paintings by Viktor Bout will take place at the Mosfilm Gallery News

Most of the works presented at the exhibition were created by Viktor Bout, a member of the Creative Union of Artists of Russia, during his long prison term abroad. Recall that it was the result of a criminal case inspired by the American special services against the Russians, accusing Bout of “conspiracies” against America. A citizen of the Russian Federation was arrested in March 2008 in Thailand following a provocation by American agents, then extradited to the United States and sentenced by a court in New York to 25 years in prison. Bout pleaded not guilty to any of the charges against him and refused the deal offered to him by US authorities. On December 8, 2022 – after more than 14 years in prison in Thailand and the United States – a 56-year-old Russian was returned to Russia following a pardoned prisoner exchange.
“The fate of Viktor Bout, the personal opposition to the crushing American “justice” system, the struggle for freedom and return, the “love trials” that befell his family, have become a true legend of the he critical era in which we find ourselves demonstrative “The Bout Affair” inspired American intelligence agencies to demonstrate his absolute superiority and influence in the world. Victor survived, did not change himself, his convictions, his love for his family and his homeland, where he came from. separated for a long, short three months, fifteen years,” “RG” Alla Booth said.According to her, the cell in the American prison in Illinois, just over four square meters, became a cell, a library and an art studio for Booth. The Russian has discovered in himself a new creative dimension, over which the restrictions of physical freedom have no power. He studied drawing techniques from Russian books, albums, diligently copied photographs from newspaper publications.The inspiring themes of Bout’s artistic work were the faces of people close and unknown to him, idols of Russian cinema, technology and aviation, the animal world, architecture and, later, creativity – abstraction and landscape.During his incarceration, Viktor Bout created dozens of paintings and drawings, which he was able to transport to his native country. Some of his works were shown at the end of 2021 at an exhibition at the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation. However, many paintings were returned from the United States after Bout was released and returned to Russia.When: March 8 to April 8, 2023Where: State Museum of Art and Photography (“Mosfilm Gallery”), Moscow, st. Mosfilmovskaya 1, building 28.