Nikolay Bakharev's Soviet-era intimate photography exhibition at Gallery Photographer.ru

The exhibition titled 'Public and Private' by Nikolay Bakharev was showcased at Gallery Photographer.ru in Moscow from November 29, 2008, until January 15, 2009. Bakharev's artistry reflects the personal experiences of Soviet life during the 1980s, emphasizing semi-legal private portrait photography, where modest payments fostered relationships between the photographer and his subjects. The models are often seen in home settings adorned with patterned decor and linoleum flooring, typically in states of partial undress but in non-erotic scenarios. Additionally, the photographs capture social gatherings in shaded parks, intertwining themes of friendship and sensuality. Initially, Bakharev provided single prints to his subjects but later produced copies for the exhibition, linking his work to the traditions of Soviet amateur photography, which thrived under censorship that safeguarded private art while limiting public access.