Ilya Kabakov, Russian Soviet, Ukrainian, American, born 1933, hand-colored lithograph on paper depicting an abstract composition, 1974. Signed and dated in the plate lower right. Ilya Kabakov is a Soviet and American artist, representative of Moscow conceptualism. Beginning his career as a children's book illustrator in the Soviet Union, Ilya Kabakov became an internationally famous installation sculptor of the 20th century. He was born in Ukraine to Jewish parents, and the family evacuated to Samarkand during World War II. He became a member of the informally organized group called the Moscow Conceptualists, and some of his work is a commentary on the Soviet regime. In 1980 he was discovered by art enthusiasts of Europe and the United States, and in 1988, he had his first New York debut, which was held at the Ronald Feldman gallery. He did a huge installation called Ten Characters, which were spaces occupied by various personality types, some of them from Kabakov's life. Graphic Art Prints and Collectibles.