Boris Mikhailov

Boris Mikhailov is a leading Ukrainian photographer whose career emerged during the reign of the Soviet Union, and was one of the few artists to maintain his success after its fall. In his most lauded body of work, Case History (1997–1998), Mikhailov documented the aftermath of the Soviet collapse, particularly its effect on the people who relied on social services and their inability to fit within the new capitalistic society. This critique offered a clear example of why not every change was positive after the collapse of communism in Russia—especially for the homeless and disabled.

Throughout Boris's socially conscious practice, he has continued to examine human conditions in a rapidly changing environment. His full-color photographs document shocking poverty and strife, all while maintaining a nihilistic sense of humor. Born on August 25, 1938 in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Mikhailov studied engineering and initially worked as an engineer, teaching himself photography on the side. He has since won the Hasselblad Award, and his series Case History was exhibited at The Museum of Modern Art in New York in 2011. He lives and works between Ukraine and Germany.