2022 - ongoing
When you face death in your family, albums full of ancient photographs can tell us a story. Unfortunately, so many documents and pictures are lost, or old-time portraits can even never exist. Today, in the era of digital technologies we have a chance to start creating our genealogy, explore our identity, and history, and as a result, save it digitally for the next generations.
In my photographs, I talk to the viewers via colours and dig into their memories and experience through colourful art abstractions. The project Primogenitors is my research of a family portrait, where I explore my roots, family members’ stories, and their relations. In this project, I explore the Ukrainian nation where I belong and my identity as well.
I started my project after the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022; however, my reflections about my family and its history started just three months before the invasion – after my grandfathers’ death. I haven’t seen him for a long time because of the uncertain family relationship and then because of the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time my grandfather was the last alive grandparent in my family. I dreamed to meet him in person after the pandemic ends. I felt that I need to collect some stories about his life as a child during World War II and to know better how he and my ancestors survived. But it never happened. I was crushed by the news of his death. After a while, I felt calm because he shouldn't see a new war again.
Unique piece size 210 x 297 mm, limited edition prints size: various.
Medium: Analog photography (archives), photo paper, paint, collage.
Number of photographs in collection: 11
Awards: Neutral Density Photography Awards 2022 - Honorable mention, Fine Art: Abstract. Budapest International Foto Awards 2022 - Honorable mention, Fine Art: Collage. 19th Julia Margaret Cameron Award 2022 - Honorable mention, Digital Manipulation & Collage. Tokyo International Foto Awards 2022 - Official selection, Fine Art: Collage. London International Creative Competition 2022 - Finalist, Create (Art). Fine Art Photography Awards 2023 - Nominee in Fine Art. FRESH EYES 2023, Portrait.