Elena Chernyshova is a Russian documentary photographer.
A self-taught photographer, she developed a passion for this visual language during her studies in the architectural academy. After two years of work as an architect, Elena left her job and bicycled from Toulouse to Vladivostok and back again: 30,000 kilometers, 26 countries, 1,004 days of cultural, human, and challenging experiences. The trip led her to decide to become a photographer.
Photography for her is a way to investigate the daily life of different groups and communities in the context of environmental, political, and economic changes. Her work aims to visualize the impact of certain conditions of human activity, ways of adaptation, and diversity of lifestyles.
Elena regularly collaborates with National Geographic Russia, Geo and other magazines and works on her personal long-term projects.
Publications
National Geographic, Geo, 6 Mois, Stern, Le
Figaro, Le Monde, Neon, Internazionale, Days
Japan, Courier International, Le Temps, Politiken,
Sunday Times, A/R magazine and others.
Awards
• Brouillon d’une reve 2017 di SCAM, Paris,France, project “Gone with the Faith”
• Freelens Award 2016, Menzione d’onore. Lumix Festival. project : Days of Night – Nights of Day.
• World Press Photo 2014, Daily Life, 3° premio storie, project “Days of Night, Nights of Days”
• Festival des Boutographies 2014 – Exchange prize and a Public prize, project “Days of Night, Nights of Days”
• Days Japan International Photo Journalism Awards 2014 – Special Prize by the Jury
• Photographie de l’Annee 2014, Reportage, secondo premio, project “Days of Night, Nights of Days”
• “Runner up” al 2013 JGS Photography Contest, Forward Thinking Museum, project “Days of Night, Nights of Days”
• Finalist of « Invisible Photographer Asia Photos Essay Awards 2013 », photo project “Days of Night, Nights of Days”
• Vincitrice del premio Lagardère 2012 alla fotografia project “Days of Night, Nights of Days”
• “coup de coeur of ANI” 2010 (in occasione del ‘Visa pour l’Image’ festival), project “Awaiting Movement”
• “European Emerging Talent” al Nikon International Photo Contest 2008-2009
Personal exhibitions
• 11 Aprile – 5 Ottobre 2019: c|e contemporary, Milano, Italy. Project: Days of Night – Nights of Day
• 10 Dicembre 2016 – 25 Febbraio 2017: Interval gallery, Paris, France. Project “Zima”
• 5 Gennaio– 21 Febbraio 2016 : Half King Gallery, New-York, USA
• 26 Novembre 2014 – 30 Gennaio 2015 : Interval gallery, Paris, France
• 25 Settembre – 15 Novembre2014 : Galleria Studio 44, Genova, Italy
• 3-30 Agosto 2014 : Arctic Being, Vadso, Norway
Group exhibitions
• 5 Settembre 2017 – 28 Febbraio 2018, Krasnoyarsk Art Biennale, «Mir» project, Museum center of Krasnoyarsk, Russia. Project «Gone with the Faith».
• 5-9 Settembre 2017, BSPF, Brussels Street Photography Festival, Brussels, Belgium.
• 5-10 Novembre 2016, Bursa Photo Fest, Bursa, Turkey. project : Days of Night – Nights of Day
• 8-30 Ottobre 2016, Festival della Fotografia Etica, Lodi, Italy. project : Days of Night – Nights of Day
• 14 Luglio – 28 Agosto 2016, Festival Normandie Impressioniste, project «Visage d’un village», Varengeville-sur-Mer, France. Project : Normand Holidays.
• 9 – 24 Luglio 2016 : Pil’Ours, International Women Photographer Festival. Saint Gilles Croix de Vie, France. Project : Days of Night – Nights of Day.
• 15 – 19 Giugno 2016 : Lumix Festival for Young Photojournalism. Hannover, Germany. Project : Days of Night – Nights of Day.
• 2 – 12 Giugno 2016 : Copenhagen Photo Festival, Copenhagen, Denmark. Project : Days of Night – Nights of Day.
• 9 Aprile – 7 Giugno 2016 : Eyes on Main Street, Wilson, USA, Outdoor Photo Festival.
• 9 Gennaio – 12 Marzo 2016 : Tropiques du Grand Nord, Mac Creteil, Paris, France. Project : Days of Night – Nights of Day
• 14 Gennaio– 05 Febbraio 2016 : Festival Parallèle, Marseille, France. Project : Days of Night – Nights of Day
• 13 – 15 Novembre 2015 : Fotofever, CARROUSEL DU LOUVRE, Paris, France. Project : Days of Night – Nights of Day
• 12 – 15 Novembre 2015 : Wats up Photo doc, La Bellevilloise, Paris, France. Project : Days of Night – Nights of Day
• 22 Settembre– 25 Ottobre 2015 : The Hope, Moscow, Russia, Biennale of the Modern Art. Projects : Norilsk; Wyksa
• 3 Settembre – 4 Ottobre 2015 : Getxophoto, Getxo, Bilbao, Spain. Project : Days of Night – Nights of Day
• Aprile – Luglio: Eyes on main street, Wilson Outdoor Photo Festival
• 7 – 29 Marzo 2015 : Les Photographiques, Mans, France. Project : Days of Night – Nights of Day
• 17 Gennaio – 27 Febbraio 2015 : Festival Pluie d’Images, Brest, France. Project : Days of Night – Nights of Day
• 18 Ottobre– 23 Novembre 2014 : Festival Fotografico Europeo, Busto Arsizio, Milan, Italy.Project : Days of Night – Nights of Day
• 3 Ottobre – 30 Novembre 2014 : Singapore international Photo Festival. Project : Days of Night – Nights of Day
• 1-31 Luglio 2014 : Photo Ireland Festival. Project: Days of Night – Nights of Day
• 5 Giugno – 4 Luglio 2014 : Fotoleggendo, Rome, Italy – ‘Days of Night, Nights of Days’
• 5 -15 Giugno 2014 : Fotofestiwal Lodz, Poland. Project : Days of Night – Nights of Day
• 17 Maggio– 1 Giugno 2014 : Festival Les Boutographies, Montpellier, France. Project : Days of Night – Nights of Day
• Febbraio– Marzo 2014: Circulation Photo Festival, espace 104, Paris, France – Days of Night, Nights of Days’
• Aprile – Giugno 2011: ‘Inter-espaces Urbains’, Galerie Photon, Toulouse, France.
• Aprile – Maggio 2011: ‘Le Mythe de la Femme Russe’, cité de l’espace, Toulouse.
• Dicembre 2010 – Marzo 2011: ‘Trans-Asiatique’, Galerie of ANA agency, Paris.
• Agosto – Settembre2010: ‘The dance of the Kalashs’, Visa Off, Perpignan.
