BIOGRAPHY

Ismail Rakhmanov was born in the city of Derbent, Republic of Dagestan, Russia, on October 13, 1988. At the age of 18, he moved to Moscow to work so that his younger brother could pursue an education. ​ Ismail is an artist, though he hasn't mastered the art of earning a living from it. Consequently, he found employment in the restaurant business and worked as a barista. He would return to his passion for drawing when time and energy allowed. ​ A pivotal moment occurred on February 24, 2022, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Unsure of how to help and voice his anti-war stance, he began drawing anti-war posters and, a month later, embarked on distributing them to the streets of Moscow, risking up to 15 years in prison.