I am Lev
I was born into a family of artists and scientists in St. Petersburg, Russia. My father, Evgeny Rukhin, was one of the leading figures in the Russian Nonconformists movement in the 1970s, a struggle for the freedom of self-expressionism. After Evgeny's mysterious death in a fire widely believed to have been started by the KGB, my mother and three siblings were stripped of our citizenships, sending us migrating around the world under a 'stateless' status until finally settling in Texas. I moved to Los Angeles to attend UCLA. In my mid 20's, curious about my past, I bought a camera and a used motorcycle and drove around the world, uncovering the mystery of my father's death. By the time I reach Vladivostok, I was determined to be a photographer and a documentarian. I now live with my 15-year-old daughter and a lady friend in Los Angeles, documenting the folklore of my community and composing large-scale works based on context and narrative.
For inquiries, please email:
Lev@LevRukhin.com