Born in 1951 in Kazan, Tatarstan (Soviet Union), Farit Gubaev has dedicated over 50 years of his professional life to photography and journalism after completing his studies at Kazan State University. Throughout his career, he has held more than 30 solo photographic exhibitions and has participated in numerous group exhibitions in the United States, France, the Netherlands, and Spain. In 1995, he had the honor of meeting Henri Cartier-Bresson, who became one of his most significant influences. From this meeting, a photographic portrait emerged, which was included in a remarkable series of portraits of notable personalities from the art world, such as Rudolf Nureyev, Sviatoslav Richter, and Andrei Tarkovsky.
Gubaev is distinguished by his versatility, working across various genres ranging from portraits and street photography to nudes. His works have been featured in acclaimed albums published in the United States, including “Changing Reality: Recent Soviet Photography” (1989), “The Russian Century: A Photographic History of Russia’s 100 Years” (1995), and “Subjective Objective: A Century of Social Photography” (2018). Additionally, his photographs have been exhibited in Sotheby’s auctions, and 20 of his works were part of the exhibition “Red Horizon: Contemporary Art and Photography in the USSR and Russia, 1960-2010” at the Columbus Museum of Art (USA) in 2017.
The finest black and white photographs of Farit Gubaev from the last 50 years are compiled in his personal album titled “The Art of Presence” (2022). In this work, the prominent photography editor of National Geographic, Leah Bendavid-Val, praises his unique approach and ability to capture the essence of his subjects:
“Farit Gubaev, closely observing everyday life, combines realism with beauty in his works, imbuing them with art and optimism, which the world needs more than ever. His masterfully composed shots bring us closer to people and places, to moments of the past and present, and to intimate perceptions that are often inaccessible in our distant world.”
In June 2024, Gubaev was invited to Spain, where he presented his solo photographic exhibition at a gallery in the city of Lloret de Mar, further solidifying his legacy in the world of art and photography.
A Film About the Creativity of Farit Gubaev
The photographer who conquered Paris. How to photograph Tarkovsky. The psychology of art.