Contemporary art often incorporates traditional photography as a medium that allows the artist to express her ideas through a technologically advanced replica of the human eye — the camera. As a photographer, Alexandra Golubchikova has gone through several stages of self-development from finding her vision — to the point where free experimentation and courage finally allow her to implement bold ideas through photography.

Originally from the small town of Votkinsk, Udmurt Republic, Russia, Alexandra Golubchikova studied economics and finance, specialising in tourism management.

Photography has always attracted Alexandra as an opportunity to look closely at the environment in search of inspiration and special moments of happiness and beauty. Through photography, Alexandra developed a high sensitivity to views of nature, urban landscapes and portraits of people living their individual lives in different cities. The artist paid attention to the tranquillity and harmony to be found in urban landscapes, observing the natural movement of life, trying to capture unique fleeting moments in a world of iron and concrete. Her work is striking how attentive and moving the artist is in her interpretation of this seemingly mundane but very special everyday life: the combination of unusual angles and saturated colours in Alexandra’s photographs make one gaze and admire her observational skills.

After graduating Alexandra decided to take a qualitative plunge into the art world by enrolling in the Anna Radchenko School programme. After completing the One Step Ahead course for the creative industries, and further developing her skills on the Greg Williams Professional Photography Course in 2020, Alexandra began to exhibit extensively.

Her exhibition history is quite impressive for such a young photographer who is finding her style and thematic niche. This year alone, two outstanding exhibitions of Alexandra’s work have already taken place: one was “Liquid Sky” at Praxis photo arts centre, Minneapolis, USA and the other was “Significant Color,” PH21 Contemporary Photography Gallery in Budapest, Hungary.

The transition from urban landscapes to including the model in the frame has expanded the artist“s thematic range, allowing her to delve deeper into exploring how the future is formed and how it is transformed over time in one person. Dense work with images and thought-form is one of the components of the artist”s research today. Alexandra focuses on the role of light and line, especially in the series of photographs dedicated to the female body exhibited at gallery PH21. These works are at once memorable for the artist“s eclectic view of femininity and sexuality, a kind of depersonalization of the model and a focus on the beauty of line that the female body creates in movement. Liveliness, vulnerability, attention to detail and a touching interpretation of the love for her body are notable features of Alexandra”s work.

One of Alexandra“s most prominent projects has been a socially oriented photo exhibition, Women, documenting the photographer”s own experiences and personal story. Alexandra has turned the traumatic and harsh experience into self-speaking images of those women who found themselves in a similar situation with a terrible diagnosis one-on-one. The six models that Alexandra has carefully and proudly portrayed in the exhibition make a powerful impression, reminding one of the different attitudes to the diagnosis, desires, and regrets. The photographs challenge us to think about the fleetingness of life and the ways to enjoy it, and show how important it is to live consciously with the time we have been given. The exhibition was held at Art Loft Gallery in Moscow, and according to Alexandra, the chosen theme is so relatable to many female patients that she plans to expand the series and work on it further.

In the meantime, Alexandra is planning two projects, the first involving visual effects that help her get away from the artificiality of digital photography and get closer to the techniques of impressionist works through experimentation with film — brushstrokes, thin layers of colour, highlights; the second project is devoted to the artist“s roots — exploring the traditions and authenticity of small ethnic groups that inhabit Alexandra”s native region of Udmurtia.