Instagram Legend Alexander Abramov: “The Man I Have Wanted to Be"

"I started keeping journals 18 years ago. My diary is about awareness of my homosexuality, about my experiences and explorations of the world: first feelings, first love, first sexual encounter... It is also about human imperfection and struggle, drugs and fears, scars and past troubles. On the whole, it tells of becoming the man I have wanted to be: a man who is able to inspire others to makes changes for the better."

Alexander Abramov is a very popular man on Instagram. But he is more than "internet famous", as his book, Uncovered, reveals. With photography by Dmitry Bocharov, the five part art book series represents the Russian artist and producer's coming of age story. A percentage of proceeds will benefit the Russian LGBT Network, to help protect the gay youth of Alexander's native countries. The Russian LGBT Network is an interregional, non-governmental human rights organization that promotes equal rights and respect for human dignity, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Pictured in this gallery is the cocktail party and exhibition at The Pennsy in honor of the launch of Volume 1 and Volume 2 of his book that took place on June 21.

Abramov developed the idea for Uncovered three years ago when he first moved to New York City from Moscow. Abramov uses his physique as a canvas for scenes and fantasies with his longtime friend, photographer Dima Bocharov. He posed for more than 5,000 pictures at multiple locations and assumed the guises of masculine stereotypes for fun and fantasy. The first two parts of the series, Uncovered, Vol.1 Wrangler and Vol. 2 Mercenary, are available for pre-order on his website.

Check out Uncovered on Abramov's website and follow him on Instagram.