Alec Soth
Contemporary photographer, Sleeping by the Mississippi
Alec Soth (born May 4, 1969) is an American photographer and artist based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, recognized as one of the most influential contemporary photographers of his generation. He studied photography at the University of Minnesota and has since established himself as a significant figure in contemporary art and photography. Soth is known for his large-format color photography that often explores themes of American identity, landscape, portraiture, and human connection. His notable projects include Sleeping by the Mississippi, a documentary-style photo essay examining the lives of people living along the Mississippi River; NSFW (Not Safe for Work), which explores themes of desire and secrecy in ordinary American interiors; and Broken Manual, examining alternative lifestyles and intentional communities. His work has been exhibited internationally in prestigious museums and galleries, including MoMA and the Whitney Museum of American Art. Soth co-founded Little Brown Mushroom, a platform for photography and visual culture, and continues to actively create and exhibit work. His artistic practice bridges conceptual art and photography, making him an important voice in contemporary visual culture and artistic exploration of American life.
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Science & Technology
American
1969
Thinking about the name
Alec
Greek origin
“A concise masculine name derived from Alexander, meaning 'defender of men' in Greek. Alec gained prominence in the 20th century as a Scottish diminutive, popularized by actors like Alec Guinness and later Alec Baldwin. It strikes an appealing balance between strength and approachability, feeling both classic and contemporary.”