Andriy, 27, astronomy graduate, picture was taken after he spent 9 months in the war zone, March 2015, Ukraine – © Wiktoria Wojciechowska

Andriy, 27, astronomy graduate, picture was taken after he spent 9 months in the war zone, March 2015, Ukraine.

Wiktoria Wojciechowska

Sparks

[ EPF 2017 – HONORABLE MENTION ]

Sparks is a multi-dimensional portrait of a contemporary war in Europe, forgotten but still actual, the war in Ukraine. Ukrainians are fighting against the separatists, who are Ukrainians as well, driven by Russia’s influence and support. The core of the project is meeting victims of the war and dealing with aspects of the conflict like its influence, the impact on the environment and the lives of ordinary people, from late 2014 until 2016.

 

 

The title Sparks refers to the burning pieces of missiles that mercilessly pierce the walls of people’s homes. The light of explosions reflects in faces and memories of the victims. History is told in unconventional way using documentary photography, portraits, collages, videos and collected materials from the soldiers.

 

Portraits of young, non-professional soldiers form the backbone of the project. They went to fight in their sneakers, with weapons stolen from a museum, with all the fears and problems that any of us may encounter. They left their previous identities and occupations: philosopher, mechanic, astronomer, music DJ, bank assistant or high school students – none of them were prepared for what they were to experience. Whoever survives, is no longer the same person.

Sparks is still an ongoing project with the aim to depict next the changes which are happening in the country, consumed by war.

 

 

 

Short Bio

Photographer and Multimedia artist, Born in Lublin, Poland. Graduated from Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, Poland. In 2015 she became the Winner of Oskar Barnack Leica Newcomer Award and received awards for her project “Short Flashes” – portraits of drenched cyclists captured on the streets of metropolises in China. Nominated for: Joop Swart Masterclass 2016, Unseen Young Talents, Lucie Foundation Emerging Artists, Visura Grant, Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize and Foam Paul Huf Award. She took part artist residencies in Iceland, China and France. Her works were presented during the solo exhibitions and international art and photo festivals, published in magazines: British Journal of Photography, L’Oeil de la photographie, Vice, Leica Fotografie International, FT Weekend Magazine, Guardian.

Her first book “Short Flashes” published by Bemojake came out in May 2016.

 

Related Links

wiktoriawojciechowska.com

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The Emerging Photographer Fund is supported by generous donors to the Magnum Foundation

Magnum Foundation