Yury Melnikov

Yury was born within the embrace of Moscow, in a modest house that stood sentinel at the edge of an immense, ancient forest. This forest, a realm of crumbling castle ruins and whispered secrets, became his sanctuary. He spent countless hours lost among its hidden paths, a silent observer of its myriad inhabitants. It was here, amidst the rustling leaves and dappled sunlight, that his profound observation and love of nature took root.

In 1974, his father gifted him his first camera, a SMENA 8M, a treasured relic still enshrined within his collection. With this humble instrument, Yury began to capture the forest's soul and the melancholic beauty of the castle ruins. Sacrificing school lunches, he poured those precious coins into film and chemicals. He borrowed lenses from friends, transforming his bathroom into a nocturnal darkroom, where images emerged from the developer's embrace like long-forgotten dreams.

Yury’s artistic journey led him to art school, where he wielded watercolor and tempera, honing his eye for color and form.

1980 marked his entry into university and the fervent pursuit of mountain climbing. Inspired by Carlo Mauri, the celebrated Italian mountaineer and photographer, Yury's passion for the camera intensified....

He has a master's degree in engineering and a bachelor's degree in science.

5 - 16 December 2024, at the Civic Centre of Caorle - Venice, Italy.

Еxhibition "Lubitel Stories" 10-20 May 2024 at Leonor Fini Sala, Trieste.

Exhibition and sale Salon Golden Hedgehog 2020

Selzo Municipal Exhibition 2019 - 2022

Nominee 35 AWARDS Cultural landmarks of the planet 2020

Top 4% Black and white photographer 35 AWARDS 2021