Abi Polinsky

Abraham (Abi) Polinsky, an acclaimed director and photographer in New York City, brings a unique approach to his work. Specializing in fashion, fine art, and concert photography, he draws significant inspiration from surrealist European art from the 1950s to the 1980s and fashion photography from the 1980s to the 2000s. His photographs, renowned for their unique set designs, meticulous color processing, and innovative lighting, stand as a testament to his distinctive portraiture style.

Abi Polinsky grew up in San Diego. His family is Jewish, which undoubtedly shaped his understanding of the world and the people around him. “When I think about Jewish culture, I think of two things primarily. One is a strong spiritual component, which is very important in our culture. The other is the desire to help and be interested in people, regardless if they are Jewish or not.”, explained his mother, Masha Polinsky.

Abi Polinsky’s parents played a pivotal role in shaping his artistic journey. They instilled in him a love and understanding of art from a young age, supporting diversity in the art world and shunning stereotypes. “That is part of the Jewish culture. I always wanted to be inclusive and never say that this artist is correct or that this artist is not correct. He grew up in San Diego and would go to the local museums and art galleries to look at everything. He also went to the street and looked at the street artists working and trying to incorporate different cultures,” shared Masha Polinsky. Their unwavering support and encouragement inspire a sense of support and inspiration in the audience. When his family moved to Boston, the local art scene, with regular visits to MFA, Isabella Gardner Museum, and local galleries, fed his interest in visual arts.

Abi Polinsky began his artistic journey in high school. He took photography classes, which fascinated and drew him into the art world. He brought this fascination to his college years. As an undergraduate at Harvard, where he majored in psychology and visual arts, he was exposed to a variety of classes on art history and arts in different parts of the world. He advanced his knowledge and skills in every possible way. Abi Polinsky worked with different mediums to find his true passion. Abi discovered his love for photography through the cinema, which is his lifelong interest. He did some work in producing TV shows, and then he gradually moved to photography. “I started taking photographs as a hobby while working in film and fell in love with it much faster. I also realized I was much better at photography than cinema,” he shared in an interview with ITSLIQUID.

His main goal with his photography is to captivate viewers, which is increasingly challenging in today’s fast-paced world. The striking use of color is a hallmark of his work, constantly pushing the boundaries to create something surreal and unexpected. His signature use of color is evident in the picture Eternity Moment-Same Energy, owned by our Yiddishland Gallery. Abi excels in translating the visions in his mind into reality, crafting an atmosphere of escapism through his art. Abi Polinsky is particularly interested in portraits, learning about different people and personalities, and showing that through photography.

Throughout his career, Abi Polinsky has collaborated with notable brands and organizations such as Tommy Hilfiger, Alexander Wang, Matte Projects, Bureau Betak, New York Fashion Week (NYFW), the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), Umbro, VINCE, Airbnb, Men’s Health Magazine, and Women’s Health Magazine.
Abi Polinsky continues to create new photos. He is full of new ideas and will present many new exhibitions to the world. “It is such a difficult career with many ups and downs and a very competitive area. He does not give up. He tries to grow in his work and continues through ups and downs. If you feel like you cannot live without something, that is internal motivation,” points out Masha Polinsky. The New York Art Gallery Tuleste Factory represents his artworks. Follow Abi Polinsky’s social media to stay updated on his captivating artwork and upcoming exhibitions.

Website: https://www.abipolinsky.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gstark2000/

Daria Maksymenko
Art Gallery Assistant