Oleksandr Chekmenov is a Ukrainian documentary photographer known for his projects exploring social themes, human dignity, and historical memory. Born in Luhansk, he began his career as an ambulance photographer, which influenced his style – honest, sensitive, and piercing. His work is dedicated to people who find themselves on the margins of society: veterans, displaced persons, the elderly, and the underprivileged. Chekmenov has documented key events in Ukrainian history, including the war in Donbas, and his series have been published in international publications such as The New York Times, TIME, and The Guardian. His photobooks, including Passport and Lilies, have become important testimonies of the times and social changes in Ukraine.
