Biography
Boris Mikhailov was born in Ukraine in 1938. His challenging and provocative photographs document human casualties in post-communist Eastern Europe after the demise of the Soviet Union. 
 
Since the mid-1960s, Boris Mikhailov has explored photography’s full range of possibilities and produced an uncompromising yet ironically humorous portrait of his close surroundings. His tireless investigations into photographic techniques and stylistic means, as well as his frequent alternation between conceptual and documentary work, have contributed to making Mikhailov one of the most influential photographers living today.
 
Mikhailov represented Ukraine at the 57th Venice Biennale (2017). Other recent solo exhibitions include Palazzo Esposizioni and Fotomuseum Den Haag (2024); Maison Européenne de la Photographie, France (2022), Staatliche Kunsthalle Baden-Baden (2019); Before Sleep/After Drinking, C/O Berlin Foundation, Berlin (2019); Sprovieri, London (2018); Fotomuseum, Antwerp (2016); Kunstverein Wolfenbüttel (2016); MADRE, Naples (2015); Camera Italian Centre for Photography, Turin (2015); Sprengel Museum, Hannover (2013); Museum of Modern Art, New York (2011); and Kunsthalle Wien, Vienna (2010). 
 
A selection of his work was recently featured in the group shows: ‘Another Kind of Life: Photography on the Margins’, Barbican Centre, London (2018); 5th Odessa Biennale (2017); ‘The Human Condition Session II’, Moscow Museum of Modern Art (2016). Mikhailov was the recipient of the 2016 Goslar Kaiserring Prize; the 2012 Spectrum International Prize for Photography; the Citibank 2001 Photography Prize; and the 2000 Hasselblad Foundation International Award, among others.
 
His work is included in important public collections, including: Hamburger Bahnhof, Berlin; ICA, Boston; Museum of Contemporary Photography, Chicago; San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam; Tate Modern, London; Tel Aviv Museum of Art; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; MoMA, New York.
Works
  • Boris Mikhailov, from the series 'Yesterday's Sandwich', late 1960s-70s
    Boris Mikhailov
    from the series 'Yesterday's Sandwich', late 1960s-70s
    chromogenic print, printed from the negative in 1997-1998
    30 x 44 cm | edition of 7 + 1AP
    5 of 7 + 1AP
  • Boris Mikhailov, from the series 'Yesterday's Sandwich', late 1960-70s
    Boris Mikhailov
    from the series 'Yesterday's Sandwich', late 1960-70s
    chromogenic print, printed from the negative in 1997-1998
    43.5 x 29.5 cm | edition of 7 + 1AP
    6 of 7 + 1AP
  • Boris Mikhailov, from the series 'Yesterday's Sandwich', late 1960-70s
    Boris Mikhailov
    from the series 'Yesterday's Sandwich', late 1960-70s
    chromogenic print from dia
    30 x 44 cm | edition of 7 + 1AP
    3 of 7 + 1AP
  • Boris Mikhailov, from the series 'Yesterday’s Sandwich', late 1960-70s
    Boris Mikhailov
    from the series 'Yesterday’s Sandwich', late 1960-70s
    chromogenic print, printed from the negative in 1997-1998
    89 x 129 cm | edition of 5 + 2AP
    4 of 5 + 2AP
  • Boris Mikhailov, from the series 'The Wedding', 2005-2006
    Boris Mikhailov
    from the series 'The Wedding', 2005-2006
    chromogenic print from dia
    25 x 17 cm
  • Boris Mikhailov, Man with Cherries from the series 'Look at Me I Look at Water', 1999
    Boris Mikhailov
    Man with Cherries from the series 'Look at Me I Look at Water', 1999
    chromogenic print from dia and paper
    60x90 cm, 38x25 cm and 20x30 cm | edition of 7
    2 of 7 + 1AP
  • Boris Mikhailov, from the series ‘Case History’ (triptych), 1997-1998
    Boris Mikhailov
    from the series ‘Case History’ (triptych), 1997-1998
    chromogenic print from dia
    60 x 40 cm each | edition of 10
    2 of 7 + 1AP
  • Boris Mikhailov, from the series ‘I Am Not I' (triptych), 1992
    Boris Mikhailov
    from the series ‘I Am Not I' (triptych), 1992
    chromogenic print from dia
    147 x 93 cm each | Edition 2 of 3
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