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Alexander GlyadelovUkrainian documentary photographer, photojournalist
Date of Birth: 30.07.1956
Country:  Ukraine |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Military Service and Early Career
- Photography Journey
- Focus on Social Documentaries
- Work with Médecins Sans Frontières
- Distinctive Style
- Awards and Recognition
- Exhibitions, Books, and Impact
- Teaching and Legacy
Early Life and Education
Alexander Glyadyelov was born in 1956 in Legnica, Poland, to a Soviet army officer. In 1974, his family moved to Kyiv, Ukraine, where he has resided ever since. Glyadyelov studied optics and instrumentation at the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, graduating in 1980.
Military Service and Early Career
After graduating, Glyadyelov served in the Soviet army in Polesie, Ukraine. Following his discharge, he worked at the Institute of Problems of Strength of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, developing a measuring system project. Upon completing the project, he resigned.
Photography Journey
Glyadyelov began photographing in 1989 during a trip to the Pamir Mountains. Since then, he has become inseparable from his camera and embarked on a journey of self-teaching in photography. From 1989 to 1996, he worked as an independent photojournalist.
Focus on Social Documentaries
In 1996, Glyadyelov transitioned to long-term photodocumentary projects, presenting his work through exhibitions and photobook albums. His primary focuses include abandoned children, the HIV/AIDS epidemic (since 1996), and post-Soviet prisons (since 2001).
Work with Médecins Sans Frontières
Since 1997, Glyadyelov has collaborated with the humanitarian organization Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) as a photographer. His work has highlighted critical societal issues such as war conflicts, humanitarian crises, homelessness, prisons, and epidemics.
Distinctive Style
Glyadyelov's photography is known for its empathy and focus on marginalized communities. He uses an analog LEICA M6 camera with manual focus and no burst mode. He almost exclusively shoots on 35mm black-and-white film, and he processes and prints his own photographs.
Awards and Recognition
Glyadyelov has received numerous awards for his work, including:- Grand Prix of Ukrpressphoto-97 for the series "Abandoned Children"
- Hasselblad Prize at the European photography competition Images'98 in Vevey, Switzerland
- Mother Jones 2001 Medal of Excellence from the International Fund for Documentary Photography in San Francisco, USA
Exhibitions, Books, and Impact
Glyadyelov has held over 40 solo exhibitions and published three books. His photographs have been used by international organizations such as MSF, HRW, The Global Fund, UNAIDS, and UNICEF. Through his work, he raises awareness of crucial societal problems.
Teaching and Legacy
Glyadyelov teaches at Ukrainian photography schools such as Viktor Marushchenko's School of Photography and Bird in Flight. He is a sought-after juror for photography competitions and was a contender for the 2020 Taras Shevchenko National Prize of Ukraine.
