The Fourth 'Book of Schemes'. Album #1, the Third Folder 1978

Valerii Lamakh created "The Fourth 'Book of Schemes'. Album #1, the Third Folder" sometime during his career as a Ukrainian artist working under the Soviet regime. Lamakh’s series of graphic works invites reflection on the power of systems. Each image presents a unique pattern of lines and arrows confined within a square, set against a muted gray background. The artist challenges us to consider the delicate balance between order and chaos, freedom and constraint, through the simple geometry. Working in Soviet Ukraine meant navigating a complex web of political expectations, cultural identity, and personal expression. Lamakh was part of a generation of artists who sought ways to express themselves under state censorship. These "schemes" could be interpreted as a commentary on the controlling structures of Soviet society. These images also explore the universal human experience of seeking structure and meaning in the world. They represent both the comfort and the limitations of systems. The last frame has only the faintest suggestions of lines, and it stands as a powerful reminder of the potential for freedom that exists beyond imposed structures.