He did not have a solo show in Russia until shortly before his death in 1986 and his work was exhibited in small, underground galleries.

His style of tachisme can be compared with the work of the American Abstract Expressionist painter Jackson Pollock.

In order to bring more money into the family he took a job at a recreation park, painting fences and boards.

An art-lover called Rumnev noticed his work and introduced him to the famous art collector George Costakis.

[1] When Nikita Khrushchev learned about the publication he was outraged and forbade all contacts with Western visitors and closed down all semi-legal exhibitions.

As a result of his persecution at the hands of the authorities, he surrounded himself with a small group of friends who would be able to support him.

Those in his circle used to say, "When the Lord anointed us artists for our profession, He poured a whole cup of oil on Tolya's head".