This Is War!
What you see is a photography series on war. There are no heroes in war, only victims. I don’t consider myself brave for having witnessed the events that (sadly) continue to unfold and for having captured them, using light. I am a photographer whose message is: Never again. A photographer who photographs war, among other things, but is no war photographer. I admit I may be naive to think that these images or their implications can impact the course of history.
Now and then, my work feels as if I’m merely screaming into the void. This is why, dear visitor, I’m counting on you to let the dreadful fates of these individuals alter your views and shake you out of any apathy that you may feel. That you can be one of those who start shouting at the top of their voices: Enough! Enough with the killing. Enough with the bombs. That you can be one of those who help the fleeing people we call refugees, and make your contribution as big as your heart. And, above all, that you can be one of those who do everything in their power not to let something similar happen to them.
Tears are not enough. They are only the beginning.
The photographs were taken in my three weeks of capturing events in Ukraine. They were taken in and around the capital of Kyiv and in Lviv in western Ukraine. Places that were under attack in the past weeks and continue to see fighting today. Places where people have to hurriedly pack all their belongings in one suitcase and leave their homes behind, along with everything they have. Some get hit by an artillery projectile and never make it to safety.
Three photographs show beautiful sunlit faces of the cities and their imposing architecture. Still, each image contains something that suggests these are cities at war.
I can’t tell you to enjoy. I can only hope you don’t shut your eyes to it.
Please note: this photos contains graphic images of war.