Signal series 1962

Yuri Zlotnikov created this painting, part of his 'Signal series', with oil on canvas. Zlotnikov lived and worked in the Soviet Union during the Cold War. His abstract geometric paintings were a form of coded communication, offering an alternative visual language in a society that was highly regulated. The artist developed a system of geometric signs to convey complex information about human behavior and social systems. The arrangement of shapes – lines, squares, circles – signify psychological states and interactions between individuals and the collective. The starkness of the lines and blocks of color evoke the emotional austerity of the time. The overall composition is devoid of overt emotional expression, yet the placement of each element hints at a deeper, underlying narrative. Zlotnikov himself said that his works should be seen as "models of systems." Ultimately, Zlotnikov’s ‘Signals’ invite us to contemplate how we navigate and interpret the signs and signals that shape our own identities.