ALIONA KUZNETSOVA
“The subject of my work is complex emotional states. My own emotional dysregulation was anirritating grain of sand that needed to be coated over and over to create a pearl of my work. Now, with many years of practice and reflection, I hope to create something for others to reflect on help them achieve positive change in their emotional landscape. As for techniques, I call my approach post-media as the idea in my work proceeds and dictates the techniques used, and I often teach myself new things just to reach a better representation of the feeling I am looking to portray. For me, location, costume and custom props are catalysts for emotional experience on set, and if needed, I add layers of ink, paint or collage in post-production to finalize the expression.”
Aliona Kuznetsova
photography (multiple expositions), 2022.
Aliona Kuznetsova is a Ukrainian-American photographer who lives in San Francisco, California. She was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, in 1985. Aliona first started photography as a stud portrait photographer while studying at MIPT. After she got her degree, she decided to stay in photography, which she was very passionate about.
In 2009, Aliona moved to Lausanne, Switzerland, and pursued a career in fashion She worked with boutiques as well as model agencies and magazines. In 2012, she had to take a break from work due to a serious illness, and as she returned, she decided to pursue less commercial and more artistic direction, focusing on fashion editorial.
In 2016, Aliona moved to the US - first to Boston and then to San Francisco. Here, continu to collaborate with magazines, now also including giving interviews about her work. She also started to participate in art showcases and exhibit her work solo and as a part of the group. After moving to San Franciso, she joined Gallery House and later City Art Gallery, a well-known artist coop in the heart of the Mission district.
Russia’s war in Ukraine become a heartbreaking and awakening moment for Aliona. She used her power as a photographer to photograph and interview members of the diaspora to refle on collective pride and grief. Gallery House hosted a Ukrainian Evening featuring this work in late 2022. Together with Art Bias, Aliona also curated a show of 12 women artists living and working in Kyiv during the war.
Anna, photography, 2022.