'Invisible People of Belarus’ documents the lives of disabled people and Chernobyl victims living in governmental institutions called ‘Internats’.
Internats function as something between an orphanage, asylum, and hospice.
There are glaring deficiencies in Belarusian internats: very little physical or educational therapy is offered; there are few opportunities for recreational activities; and the right to a private life is not respected, with romantic relationships between residents prohibited. Integration within the local community is virtually non-existent. Their location makes it difficult for the families that would like to stay in touch with their children to visit. Some are located in very rural areas and with almost no public transport links. All internats are either fenced off or walled. This separation stands as metaphor for the way disability is thought about in Belarus: misunderstood and better shut away.
Jadwiga Brontē (b.1986) is a Polish photojournalist, documentary photographer and videographer, covering social and cultural issues around the World. Her work is a relationship between human identity, otherness and visual representation, all with traces of politics and humanity.
Her latest project tells a story of hidden people living in Belarusian governmental institutions for disabled people and Chernobyl victims. Her story was widely published and presented in BBC World News.
Jadwiga lives and works in London where she gained her BA and MA degree in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography.
Awards BA in Photography,Kingston University London 2010
MA in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography, University of Arts London 2015
Honorable Mention - IPA International Photography Awards 2016
Honorable Mention - PDN Edu Award 2016
Finalist of Travel Photographer of the Year in 2015
Finalist of AOP Student Award in 2014
2nd Place - Paris Photo Prize Px3 2014
Honorable Mention - IPA International Photography Awards 2013
Finalist of Travel Photographer of the Year in 2013
