From early 1980's he participated in the movement of non-conformist or "underground" art in Russia. The art works of Igor Smirnov were presented at the most popular "underground" art shows in St.Petersburg, Moscow and Germany in 1982-1988. Igor Smirnov's art works attracted the attention of John Whitehead, the US Deputy Secretary of State, when he visited Moscow in December of 1987 in preparation for the meeting between President Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Following Mr. Whitehead's personal request to Soviet Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Shevardnadze, the authorities of USSR let Igor Smirnov to immigrate to United States. The artist happily settled in California enjoying the benefits and stimulation of the new environment.