gobotoru
Anton Novozhilov (aka Gobotoru) is an Estonia-born contemporary photographer.
Anton Novozhilov was born in Estonia. He early showed an interest in photography, a passion his father supported. With father’s support, he made first shots with film cameras and exposed first prints in dark room. “I was addicted to photography since I was 7”, he recalled, “I did well, but that wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to make art and fantasy shots and collages, and I was thrilled with the thought that one day I could do that.”
However, he will choose to pursue art photography many years later.
In 2003 Anton joined the world of digital photography and started to manipulate shots with Photoshop. And next year he achieved recognition at Estonian photo contests in different nominees as creative photography and best digital photography.
For next several years Anton was searching his own typical style. He captured insane ideas mixed with wild fantasy giving in this way essence of contemporary photography. In 2005 Anton developed his own recognizable technique and named it Gobotoru. The style of his works became dark, harsh and dirty filled with melancholic and stressed emotions.
2007 was a remarkable year for the artist – Anton received Gran prix at the most valuated photography contest in Estonia – Estonian Nature Photo Contest.
Mixing photojournalism with studio photography, Anton emerged on the art scene in 2008, when his series People are strange was awarded the first prize in the Estonian Photography Artists competition.
Another worthy awards were third place at Nikon photo contest in 2013 and 1st place in national Pentax portrait contest.
Anton has had numerous important group and solo exhibitions both nationally and internationally as well as participations at Art Fairs in Finland, Hong Kong, Sweden and Tokyo.
Awards and Nominations
2004 EFK (Estonian Photography Artists’ Associations)- the best digital photoghraphy
2004 Narva’s autumn photo contest – for contributions to creative photography
2004 TFK Tallinn photoclub
2005 Narva’s autumn photo contest – the best computer processing
2006 Pentax portrait contest (Estonia)- V place
2006 EFK (Estonian Photography Artists’ Associations) -the best white and black photography
2007 EFK (Estonian Photography Artists’ Associations) – III place
2007 Estonia nature photography contest. Gran Prix, 1st place at nomination “Human and nature”, The Winner of internet vote selection
2007 Narva’s autumn photo contest – Gran Prix
2008 EFK (Estonian Photography Artists’ Associations) – I place
2008 Estonia nature photography contest. 3rf place at nomination “Human and nature”
2011 Narva’s autumn photocontest – the best single photo
2012 Pentax portrait contest – II place
2013 Nikon Photo Contest 2012 – 2013, Winner/Category A III place
2016 Narva’s autumn photocontest – Gran Prix
2016 Pentax portrait contest – I place
2018 35AWARDS 2017 1-st great photographer at Concepual photo; 1st award winner at Conceptual photo; Jury choice; 100great photographers; TOP 10 Estonia photographers
2018 Sony World Photography Awards 2018 – 1st Place of the Estonia National Award; Commended in Enchanced category of the Open competition
Solo and Group Exhibitions
various EFK anf TFK Group Exhibitions
2006 Rostov na Donu, Russia. Art-festival photo exhibition “Others: Aliens”
2008 Moscow, Vinzavod gallery. Fashion design
2009 Photo museum „Lee“ – Solo exhibition
2013 Helsinki, Finland. Gallery Kadieff photo exhibition “Gobotoru”
2013 Hong Kong. Valais II “Alone”
2014 Hong Kong. Asia Contemporary Art Fair
2015 Hong Kong. Toof contemporary Gallery. Gobotoru’s world
2015 Stockholm. Affordable Art Fair exhibition
2016 Hong Kong. Asia Contemporary Art Fair
2016 Stockholm. Affordable Art Fair exhibition
2016 Positiiv Gallery. Art fair exhibition
2017 SerpentiForm Exhibition by Bulgari. Singapore Art Science Museum
2017 SerpentiForm Exhibition by Bulgari. Tokyo Mor Art Museum
2018 Somerset House. Sony World Photography Awards 2018 exhibition
Publication and interview
2007 PhotoLoft “Life review” part 1.
2008 PhotoLoft “Life review” part 3. *As in the dream“
2007 Estonian nature photography annual book
2009 Estonian nature photography annual book
2012 Lõbusad objektiivd – radio interview for 35mm.ee
2013 POSITIIV photography magazine – cover and interview
2017 POSITIIV photography magazine – article
gobotoru@gmail.com
