Andrey Makalkin

ANDREY MAKALKIN

BIO

Born in 1997 in Moscow Region, Russia. As a teenager, he developed a passion for photography and computer graphics, creating digital collages. In 2016, he entered VGIK (All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography) to study cinematography. During his studies, he shot short films and music videos that participated in film festivals. At the same time, he worked as a gaffer and lighting designer.

Towards the end of his studies, Andrey grew fascinated with art history and sought ways to merge photography with painting. He developed a unique shooting and editing technique where soft focus and digital noise blend into vibrant color patches. Currently, he lives and works in Moscow.

ARTIST STATEMENT

I shoot on a mobile phone, challenging the boundaries of traditional photography. By using unconventional settings and amplifying colors during post-processing, I disrupt the frame and bring dark, blurred materials to life. Digital noise, often seenas a flaw, becomes my primary creative tool — turning imperfections into the foundation of a new visual language.

Color is central to my process. It lets mere shape the context and mood of an object. Instead of looking to photography for inspiration, I turn to painting to explore color palettes and compositions. My work merges classical artistic traditions with contemporary aesthetics, finding balance between concept and vivid expression.

EDUCATION

VGIK

All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography named after S.A. Gerasimov, major: Cinematography (Moscow, Russia)

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

Solo Exhibitions

“Mobilography”

photography, Qontur Art Space (Moscow, Russia)

2023

Group Exhibitions

“AL(L)ONE”

photography, part of the Play Digital Art Festival (Yekaterinburg, Russia)

Art Fairs

blazar

photography, Ruarts Gallery booth, curated by Katrin Borisov (Moscow, Russia)