ALEXANDRE Lobanov (1924-2002) liked guns. A lot. But being locked up in a mental hospital, it was hard for Alexandre to get the real stuff in his hands. So he drew his own arsenal. Born in Mologa, Russia, he lost at the age of seven his hearing and ability to speak due of meningitis. Alexandre was institutionalized by his family at the age of twenty-three. He began drawing his guns when he was thirty years old. His main subject were guns, along with military and Soviet symbols.

In the 1970s he became interested in photography. He designed props, backgrounds and frames. And with the help of a near by studio photographer he made self-portraits. His subject matter strayed little from his taste for detailed self-portraits, often with himself being portrayed similarly to Russian revolutionary icons. His tools were consistent, staying with Chinese ink, pencil, coloring pencils, and felt-tip pens throughout the years.

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The work of Lobanov is hip hop design avant lettre. Give Alexandre a bottle of Crystal in his hands and ad some booty and diamonds, and you got a classic Pen & Pixel Company cover.