For centuries Papua New Guinea has been mostly undisturbed by
outside influences. The reputation of its fierce warriors has kept
Western conquerors and – later – investors and visitors at arm’s
length. This has preserved the wonderfully dense and wild nature and
the unique traditions of its inhabitants. This is changing fast.
Papua New Guinea is catapulted into the future. Developments that
have taken centuries here in Europe, play themselves out in a few
years. Western companies eagerly pounce on this 'virgin' land,
determined to acquire the many raw materials and to secure a place in
the undeveloped economy.
They bring our way of life with them, into a society that still largely
consists of traditional tribes. How will PNG handle this? Each person's
individual identity is strongly influenced by the traditions of the tribe.
Will they keep their traditions alive? If not, what will develop in its
place?
In this series, Papua’s traditional way of life is captured. In small
villages, encompassed by nature where life is lived as it has been for
centuries. This series is the mirror image of the series “Disappearing”
in which Papua’s new way of life due to the disappearance of
traditional tribal structures is documented. Mostly in cities, away from
nature and traditions. Both series and more of Marinka's work from
PNG are currently featured at WM Gallery in Amsterdam.
After finishing her MBA, Marinka's studies in Buddhist Psychology guided her philosophical journey, and the Photo Academy in Amsterdam stimulated her to channel her concepts and feelings into images.
Gender equality is a main theme running through Marinka’s work. She feels strongly about the importance of raising this subject and she just returned from Iran where she worked on two photography projects concerning the position of women.
Marinka's acclaim includes: Lucie Award - IPA Photographer of the Year 2016 - LensCulture Portrait Awards 2017, Winner Juror's Pick - 10th Annual Color Awards 'Photographer of the Year', 2nd place - 1st place winner Color Awards - 2x Silver and 2x Bronze at TIFA Tokyo Awards 2016 - LifeFramer 3rd place - 2nd place ND Awards 2016 - 2x winner 1st place IPA 2016 - 2x winner 2nd place IPA 2016 - Exhibition at Gallery 'Beeldend Gesproken', Amsterdam - 2x Silver winner and 1x Bronze winner Px3 2016 - Px3 Exhibition in Paris - 1st place Monochrome Photography Awards - Exhibition at Atelier Alen, Munich, Germany - Featured at ArtWest, Amsterdam - 2x winner 2nd place MIFA "Moscow International Foto Awards" 2015 - 2nd place BW SpiderAwards - Merit of Excellence - "IPA Best of Show Exhibition" New York - 2x winner 2nd place IPA "International Photography Awards" 2015 - Gold winner at Px3 2015 - 3x Silver and 1x Bronze winner at Px3 2015 - Exhibition at WM Gallery, Amsterdam - Photoville 2015 New York - International Photo Festival Leiden 2015 - 1st place International Color Awards - Featured at the Royal Geographical Society in London - IPA 2014 2nd place - Linden Museum Stuttgart - GUP New Dutch Talent 2014
Awards New Dutch Talent 2014
Exhibition Linden Museum Stuttgart, Germany- June 2014
Published 1x.com Yearbook Passion - Dec 2013
3 times shortlisted TPOTY Travel Photographer of the Year 2013
2nd Prize Photographer of the Year 2013, Zoom Magazine
