sole hope

In "sole hope" I bring together 20 self-portraits with plant images taken between February 2022 and October 2023, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine's heroic resistance to inspires me to convey the fragility of human life.

In 'Sole Hope,' I bring together 20 self-portraits with images of plants taken between February 2022 and October 2023, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine's heroic resistance inspires me to convey the fragility of human life. I present to you 20 self-portraits combined with plant portraits that I began photographing during the first month of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. I continue to live and work in the same area near Odesa, a hotbed of tension where threats to life persist on a daily basis. My visual storytelling begins on February 23, 2022, and extends beyond this moment. I've learned not to be afraid to state that black is black and white is white. Here I stand, strong and brave. Freedom is a process through which I develop the habit of not yielding to violent attempts to destroy my life. Throughout these challenging 20 months, Ukraine has protected me, bravely fighting. During this time, I have keenly felt the fragility of human life in my mind and being. Just as easily as one can uproot a plant, life can be taken away. But for as long as I have the opportunity to document, I will remind the world once again of the fragility of human existence.

Working in black and white, I emphasize that what is black is undeniably black, and what is white is white. War is undoubtedly an evil darkness, and all of humanity, as well as all of nature, is under threat, facing genocide and ecocide.

My photographs capture facets of the human psychological experience against the backdrop of historically significant events. Faced with the full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, my homeland and place of residence, these images have become an integral part of my life and my research, contributing to my psychological survival.

Through my self-portraits and compositions, I convey the range of emotions and sensations that intertwine within me: from fear and anxiety to hope and faith. I am refining the art of resilience and adaptation to challenging circumstances brought about by the long-term impact of destructive external forces on my country.

At first glance, this project may seem to reflect a spiritual crisis, but it also embodies the strength of life, the desire for freedom, the journey through darkness, and the search for light. In an era when external events and political factors may appear to suppress the human spirit, I search within myself - and around me - through the camera, for hope and determination that persist.

By merging plant images with self-portraits, I express my understanding of the interconnectedness of human life and nature. Just as plants are influenced by their environment, humans are influenced by their surroundings. The fragility of both serves as a poignant reminder of the preciousness of life. My project speaks to vulnerability and the value of life.

I hope that I can continue to bear witness to life, and my work will allow me to draw further attention to the immeasurable value of absolutely any life. My mission is to capture each day of life because I never know which day could be my last. My self-portraits will remain in this world as a testament to my life.

In my project 'Sole Hope,' I magnify the life within my inner world and find solace in it during times of anxiety and life-threatening circumstances. I am my only hope. In dark times, I remember the quote: 'I owe nothing to anyone, and nobody owes me anything; therefore, I am free.' This quote is attributed to Jean-Paul Sartre, a French philosopher, and it can be found in his philosophical work 'Being and Nothingness,' first published in 1943.

Everything happening to me now in 2023 - no one is to blame. It's all very simple - black is black, white is white, and war is absolute darkness. One must resist it with all their light, without becoming like the darkness, and lay down their weapons. Everything is straightforward.

My photographs express the connection between human essence on one hand and the world of plants and our similar life cycles on the other. This union reflects my path of self-discovery and the desire to survive, making my way through cracks in the asphalt in a universe 'in which the death of every person diminishes me, for I am one with all humanity.' - John Donne.

Through my camera, I explore not just myself but all of humanity. By confronting black and white, I believe that by winning the inner battle, by transitioning to the light, a person can create a brighter world in what may seem like a bleak one. My project is an attempt to bring this moment closer. I will continue my work until the end of my days to convey the message of the value of human life and the natural world to every heart.