David Burliuk was a Ukrainian-born artist and writer who played a key role in the development of Russian Futurism. He was born in the village of Semyrotivka and studied at the Kazan Art School before moving to Moscow in 1903, where he became involved with the Symbolist and Futurist movements. In 1910, he helped organize the landmark "Jack of Diamonds" exhibition, which featured works by many of the leading avant-garde artists of the time. In 1911, Burliuk traveled to Paris and became one of the first Russian artists to exhibit at the Salon des Indépendants. He also met and befriended many of the leading figures of the European avant-garde, including Pablo Picasso, Guillaume Apollinaire, and Georges Braque. After returning to Russia, he continued to be an influential figure in the development of Futurism, helping to organize the "Target" exhibitions and publishing a manifesto titled "A Slap in the Face of Public Taste" in 1914.