Bio

Born in 1974 in a small rural community near Vladivostok, Yury Toroptsov left his native Russia in 1998 to study in New York after having won a prestigious scholarship. Upon obtaining his master’s degree in non-profit management he pursued this career in a non-governmental sector. In 2003 Yury Toroptsov, then a consultant for the United Nations, decided to change his profession and follow his long-time passion – photography.

From his Far-Eastern origins, American travels and the current residence in Europe, Yury Toroptsov keeps at the core of his work what constitutes a common denominator for those distant cultures: human element and identity. The human element is expressed through portrait, the form which interests him the most (an isolated, environmental, and atmospheric portrait or a portrait in relation with an object). Individual and collective stories of people are told through image by posing universal questions (beyond those of models) concerning the contemporary society. Metamorphosis, adoration of idols and emotional attachment are the recurring themes in his photographs.

Yury Toroptsov now lives and works in Paris.

Exhibitions

• 9/2008 - Collective exhibition "A hotel photo, an artist's view", Paris
• 06/26 - 06/29/2008 - Presentation of "Marilyn and I", International Festival Cinema & Costume, National Center of Costume, Moulins, France
• 01/16 -03/30/2008 - Personal exhibition "Happiness", European House of Photography, Paris (Winner SFR Young Talent)
• 11/29/2007 - Slide show projection "Marilyn and I", Bastille Design Center, Paris
• 5/17/2007 - Slide show projection "Marilyn and I", Les Vergers de l'Art Gallery, Paris
• 11/3 - 11/30/2006 - European Month of Photography in Paris - Collective exhibition "You said advertising?" Gallery of the House of Photographers, Paris
• 7/4 - 7/9/2006 - International Festival Rencontres Photo in Arles, France
• 1/2 - 1/31/2006 - Collective exhibition "Histoires d'Eaux", Gallery of the House of Photographers, Paris
• 1/29 - 2/28/2005 - Collective exhibition "Histoires d'Eaux", Halle au Blé, Alencon, France

Publications