Elena Khudiakova (Russian, 1958-2015) A group of seven Soviet and

each signed and dated from 1985-1991, gouache and gold paint; together with a collection of clothing, including two avant-garde dresses and a jacket with an image of a young Lenin designed by the artist, (qty.), 29 x 29cm; framed 43.5 x 43.5cm and smaller, Khudiakova studied art at the Moscow Architectural Institute, before moving to London in 1989, where she quickly established herself as a painter and designer, reinterpreting Soviet imagery from the 1920s into avant-garde fashion designs. Her work often incorporated familiar Soviet symbols of hammers and sickles and the Kremlin skyline. She was inspired by the early 20th-century constructivist designers Nadezhda Lamanova and Varvara Stepanova, as she sought to transform the functional Soviet aesthetic into stylised, elegant fashion designs, bringing together the Soviet Russian culture of her childhood and the modern consumerism of the West. Whilst in London, Khudiakova associated with influential artists, including Francis Bacon and Gilbert & George. She exhibited work at the Birch and Conran Gallery, Anthony Reynolds Gallery, and at the Russian Cultural Centre at Pushkin House in London, and her work quickly became highly desirable, featuring in the collections of Charles Saatchi and Elton John. In the late 1980s, Khudiakova's designs featured on the popular daytime television programme 'This Morning', bringing her work into the mainstream. From 1994 to 2010, she worked with the eminent British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood. 'Elena Khudiakova was a Soviet fashion designer who I met in Paris in 1985 before my trips to Moscow. She is a key person in my book "Bacon in Moscow". Her designs use early Soviet imagery with an influence from the early constructivist designer Varvara Stepanova. She often wore her own clothes. It is believed Elton John bought two dresses from the Sotheby’s sale in 1988.', 'Elena Khudiakova was a Soviet fashion designer who I met in Paris in 1985 before my trips to Moscow. She is a key person in my book "Bacon in Moscow". Her designs use early Soviet imagery with an influence from the early constructivist designer Varvara Stepanova. She often wore her own clothes. It is believed Elton John bought two dresses from the Sotheby’s sale in 1988.', Condition Report, Condition Report, The design of a lady in red dress flying has some mould. One of the constructivist designs has some creasing and possible retouching to the black background. A little time staining. Not viewed out of glazed frames. Please contact the department for additional images and reports on the clothing if required. Request A Condition Report, Request A Condition Report

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