Arkhangelsk region is situated in the North of Russia and it has the biggest number of abandoned villages in the country. I went there to find villages with one inhabitant left. These people live alone on the land in which they have grown roots, finding strength and motivation to continue on their way with the help of memories, pets, songs, alcohol. They saw several epochs of Russia and how time changed this country leading their life to oblivion. It seems to me that it is incredibly important to show that there is life in these places with a story behind every door, behind the snow.
I am a Russian freelance photographer and visual artist based in Istanbul, Turkey working with VICE UK/USA, De Volkskrant, British Journal of Photography, Novaya Gazeta, Meduza, others.
My photographic practice primarily focuses on the exploration of the issues of modern society. With the help of different approaches to portraiture I look at the problems of identity of minorities, gender, health and racial prejudice, ecology and consumerism. I often execute very personal photographic projects exploring my very own inner demons, past and family.
Awards I am the awardee of the number of international contests such as: winner of Istanbul Photo Awards 2022 in Portrait Stories category; Award of Excellence at POYA 2022 in Photographer of the Year Asia category; winner of Bartur Photo Awards 2021 in Unity in Diversity Professional category; Award of Excellence at POYi 2021 in Portrait Series category; winner of Istanbul Photo Awards 2018 in Daily Life Story category; winner of Debuts 2018 photocontest organized by Doc! Photomagazine; 3rd place at Direct Look Photocontest 2018; finalist of Hellerau Portraits Awards 2016, 2017; winner of Luis Valtuena Humanitarian Photography Award 2016 granted by Doctors of the World NGO; others.
