Despite Burliuk’s strong association with his homeland of Ukraine, the political situation in the USSR continually forced him eastward. During World War I and the ensuing Russia Civil War, Burliuk befriend the anarchist groups in Ukraine. Therefore, when it became clear the anarchists, known as “the Blacks,” were not going to win and the Soviet "Reds" began establishing their government, Burliuk was forced to flee Russia.
Moving eastward towards Siberia, Burliuk gave lectures, recited poetry, and showcased his art. To “make money he painted portraits and created impromptu exhibitions…selling more than 300 paintings in the town of Ufa. In Vladivostok, Burliuk organized two exhibitions (1919 and 1920) and ran a local cabaret theatre.”
[1] Shkandrij, "Beyond Futurism: David Burliuk 1882-1967," in Futurism and After 2008 (2008: Winnipeg Art Gallery, n.d.). Page 13.
