Boris Mikhailov is a prominent Ukrainian photographer and artist whose work emerged during the Soviet era. He is widely recognized for documenting the complexities of post-Soviet life, exploring themes of individual identity against historical mechanisms of public ideology. His photography often captures scenes of poverty, violence, war, and everyday life in Eastern Europe and Ukraine. Mikhailov's practice includes both large-scale photographic series and artist books, frequently incorporating diary-like notes or explanatory text to contextualize his images. He has received numerous prestigious international awards, including the Hasselblad Award (2000) and the Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize (2001). His work is held in major collections worldwide, including MoMA and the Tate Modern.[1,4,5,6]
Look at Me, I Look at Water or Perversion of Repose2004 · Steidl · book · English, FrenchISBN 3882439688Composed in 1999 at the suggestion of the Heiner Müller Society.
Ukrainian Diary (1965-2019)seriesThe largest retrospective exhibition in the Netherlands devoted to Mikhailov.
Case History1998 · series
Exhibitions
How German is it? 30 Artists' Notion of HomeJewish Museum Berlin, Berlingroup
2023Boris Mikhailov: Ukrainian DiaryMaison Européenne de la Photographie (MEP), Parissolo
2011Boris Mikhailov: Case HistoryMoMA, New Yorksolo
Awards
2000Hasselblad Foundation International Award in PhotographyHasselblad Foundation
2001Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize (formerly Citibank Private Bank Photography Prize)Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation
