Brittney Griner, a WNBA star, was exchanged for Viktor Bout, a convicted Russian arms dealer known as ‘The Merchant of Death,’ by the United States in order to ensure her release from prison in December.
Bout, meanwhile, has begun a startling new career as an artist following his return to Russia from jail in the United States.
A Moscow gallery this week held an exhibition of Viktor Bout’s artworks, which according to the Associated Press covers a wide array of styles and subjects, from portraits of Soviet-era movie stars to warplanes to animals.
The AP notes that some of his pieces are created in a more abstract manner as well, even if the majority of the drawings are executed in a realistic manner. On Tuesday, Bout addressed the audience at his show and cited his time spent in a US prison as the source of inspiration for his art.
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Viktor Bout, Brittney Griner’s Controversial Swap
Personal items, images, and a floor layout of Bout’s prison cell have all appeared in several of his works. Bout was found guilty of terrorism-related crimes in 2011 and sentenced to more than ten years in jail.
Despite his long-standing denials of guilt, prosecutors claim he was prepared to sell guns for up to $20 million. After the contentious prisoner swap, Bout was set to be released from prison in 2029 but is now free.
“It’s difficult when you’re surrounded by completely grey walls with barbed wire on top and can’t see the horizon for a while,” Bout remarked on Tuesday at his show. “For me, being deprived of such visual stimulation was difficult. I was able to get over it all by drawing.”
His experience also taught him that life can always alter drastically. “You must persevere, complete your tasks, and remain faithful to your fate in the face of challenges,” said Bout.
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