Liapin Oleksandr

Oleksandr Lyapin (b. 1956, Boyarka, Kyiv region) — Ukrainian artist, curator, art critic. Studied at the Theater Department of I. Karpenko-Kary State Institute in Kyiv, but soon quitted it. Earned a living working at a factory, then served in the military. After the army studied at the History Faculty of the Kyiv Pedagogical Institute.

Wrote his PhD thesis at the Ukrainian Scientific Research Institute of Pedagogics. At the same time, started working at the Kyiv History Museum and publishing articles in different periodicals, like Sovetskaya Kultura [Soviet Culture]. Being engaged in photography since his childoohd, Lyapin also took photographs for those periodicals.

Inspired by popularity of documentary genre at that time, he became one of the members of the Poglyad Kyiv photographic group, which existed in 1986-1994. There he mainly participated as an art critic. In 1993–1996 he curated the UkrPressPhoto contest. For 10 years worked as the chief editor of Vechirny Visty [Evening News]. Headed “PHL Photolenta” agency. Worked for Studia [Studio], Photo Video Noviny [Photo Video News].

He was the chief editor for Symvol [Symbol] magazine and Foto.ua online platform. Founded the All-Ukrainian photo award “Photographer of the Year” (2012–2015). Taught photography. Currently works as the chief editor of “Ukrinform” news agency. Member of the National Union of Photo Artists of Ukraine.

Since 2009 Lyapin has been trying himself not only in the medium of photography, but in painting, sculpture and collage as well. Curates and participates in the numerous Ukrainian and international exhibitions, like Naïve Art Festival. The latter is a logical continuation of the author’s interest in this type of artistic thinking, which can be already traced in his early series from the 1970s.