'Sex, Drugs, Success and Death' was commissioned by GQ Russia between 2006-2011. Victoria Lomasko recalls these post-Soviet years preceding Vladimir Putin’s current regime with affection; a moment which afforded unprecedented freedom to artists, journalists and activists to engage in political discourse.

These rakish watercolours masquerade as traditional Russian luboks (17/18th century woodblock/etched prints), offering an insight into the black humour and satirical attitude that the artist believes positively impacted society and political discourse during these years. Lomasko intertwines quotations from outspoken celebrities and politicians of the period with references to Russian literature, culture and cinema. Predating the graphic reportage work that brought Lomasko to prominence, the series exemplifies an earlier pictorial approach, drawing on fantasy and folkloric narrative.

"Like other artists, I am often asked, “Can art change the world?” I don’t believe that art directly creates revolutions, but it does inspire people to live as free individuals. For several years, I have been drifting between the post-Soviet and Western worlds, going back and forth across their borders. This began as a way to run away from the Putin regime, Soviet ruins, and my parents’ experience. It has ended up breaking down a great many of my limiting convictions."
- Victoria Lomasko

Victoria Lomasko holds a degree in graphic art and book design from Moscow State University of Printing Arts. Her book 'Other Russias', a collection of graphic reportages on social themes, was published in the US by n+1 and in the UK by Penguin. Drawing on Russian traditions of documentary graphic art, Lomasko explores contemporary Russian society, witnessing the country’s diverse subcultures, such as Russian Orthodox believers, LGBT activists, migrant workers, sex workers, and collective farm workers in the provinces. Her work has appeared in Art in America, The Guardian, GQ Russia and The New Yorker and in exhibitions globally, including at Kunsthalle Wien, Vienna, Austria; Garage Museum, Moscow, Russia; GRAD at Somerset House, London, UK and the Cartoonmuseum, Basel, Switzerland.