Algimantas Aleksandravičius is often considered by photography professionals and critics as one of the best portrait photographers in Lithuania, not to mention his exceptional productivity. According to photographer and photography historian Stanislovas Žvirgždas, “expressive portraits have been created by quite a few Lithuanian authors, but no one else has taken this project to such scale and regarded it so conceptually”. This is an artist who has by now photographed probably all the best-known personalities of Lithuanian culture, art, politics and other fields. The author has organized and participated in numerous exhibitions, is recognized and valued not only in Lithuania, but also abroad. His works have been acquired by various art centres, galleries and collectors.

 

For the photographer, the person is always at the centre of attention. Alongside Lithuanian cultural and artistic figures, of great significance is a cycle of portraits of Russian science, art and culture personalities, created in 2002–2003. Despite his focus on portrait photography, the author has also created several cycles on socially sensitive or marginal issues (“Madhouse or inhabitants of Zavišai Manor” (1997–1998), “Prison” (2001) and "Town Boys" (1989–1996) – on the pastime of the criminal underworld). According to Žvirgžda, for the photographer, this is a way to escape the closed circle of photographing people of culture and art. At the same time, this proves Aleksandravičius' versatility, communication skills, ability to approach those being photographed and his sincere communication. Speaking of the diversity of the artist's work, art critic Dovilė Zelčiūtė points out that his “creative nature cannot stand stagnation”, and so his work is inspired by the eagerness to never stop moving forward, the desire to break canons and disobey established rules.

 

It is precisely for his portraits of both famous and lay people that the author is distinguished among others in Lithuanian photography. Great portraits have also been made by Antanas Sutkus, Algimantas Kunčius and other photographers of the highest reputation, as well as those of the younger generation; however, it is in Aleksandravičius' photographs that people are “constructed” out of their own biographies and life stories, as well as their being together with the photographer. Although Aleksandravičius continues the tradition of psychological portrait characteristic of the Lithuanian School of Photography, his attitude towards the portrait subject is slightly different from that of other fine-art photographers. He has chosen the path characteristic of foreign artists such as Annie Leibovitz, Helmut Newton and Richard Avedon – that of looking, in the portrait, for things that reflect the person's hobbies, profession, character and other qualities and traits.

 

Raminta Jūrėnaitė