The Strongest Bond

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Photographer

Sergei Stroitelev
Jury Top 5 Selection
Company/Studios

Freelance
Date of Photograph

2021-22
Technical Info

Fuji XT4, cropped, fujinon XF 23mm, 1.4., projector (no photoshop has been used)
Socials
Website

https://stroitelev.visura.co/

In 2015, young men from Chechnya (Russia) began to leave to the Islamic State. Their families followed them according to traditions. In 2017 Islamic State was destroyed. Men were killed, their wives with children went to prisons or have gone missing. Back at home mothers of these girls are ready for anything to return them home. I project photographs of the missing ones onto the figures of their mothers showing that the war has no boundaries - it can affect people living miles away the conflict. I am also displaying the strongest bond between relatives which cannot be destroyed by distance.

Biography

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.