Last summer, at the Wende Museum in Culver City, CA, I stumbled upon an incredibly vibrant, multi-layered work by Molly Surazhsky, entitled Dermokratizatsiya (Shitocracy). I would come to learn that this was Surazhsky’s very first exhibit, and was lucky enough to converse with her on some of the many important topics touched upon by her work. Born in Queens, New York to immigrant parents that brought her up in a very Soviet tradition, Surazhsky fervidly explores history, cultural identity, and the lasting implications of the USSR’s collapse through her artistic work. Read on for our wonderful discussion about her first museum exhibit, the process behind creating Dermokratizatsiya, and Molly’s understanding of her own cultural identity through her continuous artistic and personal studies.