honorable mention
Justin Barton united kingdom
title
The Transnistrian Patriot.
During the split of the USSR this sliver of land between Ukraine and Moldova was the only part not to willingly secede. Invisible on any maps outside of its borders, it remains unrecognized by any UN state. But in 1992 a bloody war was fought between Moldovans and Transnistrian separatists and now it remains caught between its Soviet history, current isolation and a dream of annexation by Russia.
1. Nina Shtanski - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Transnistrian Moldovan Republic
2. Natalia Yefremova - Seller of Transnistrian patriotic items in Tiraspol
3. Igor Nebeygolova – KGB Colonel and Commander of the Cossack Regiment in Tiraspol
4. Nadezhda Bondarenko - Editor of Transnistrian Newspaper 'Pravda'
5. Irina Smirnova – Director of 'The Museum of The Transnistrian National Tragedy'
My most recent projects investigate the Cold War, by its nature a psychological event. Whilst its history can be explored from many perspectives it cannot and could not be objectively photographed. This is not merely because of the passage of time and secrecy, but also because at its core are our tribal values and subjective mental states. However, I believe its effects and continuing narratives can be questioned and my photography works to capture these disappearing moments.
@barton_justin
justinbarton.co.uk
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entry description
The true nature of national identity and our elemental need to bond with patriotism is questioned in the face of portraits of nationalists of a country that does not exist, but whose symbols have exerted a potent enough influence to maintain a frozen conflict for 25 years.During the split of the USSR this sliver of land between Ukraine and Moldova was the only part not to willingly secede. Invisible on any maps outside of its borders, it remains unrecognized by any UN state. But in 1992 a bloody war was fought between Moldovans and Transnistrian separatists and now it remains caught between its Soviet history, current isolation and a dream of annexation by Russia.
1. Nina Shtanski - Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Transnistrian Moldovan Republic
2. Natalia Yefremova - Seller of Transnistrian patriotic items in Tiraspol
3. Igor Nebeygolova – KGB Colonel and Commander of the Cossack Regiment in Tiraspol
4. Nadezhda Bondarenko - Editor of Transnistrian Newspaper 'Pravda'
5. Irina Smirnova – Director of 'The Museum of The Transnistrian National Tragedy'
about the photographer
My work's focus is identity and heritage. Seeking a deeper understanding of history I examine objects closely to highlight the traces of their past and make environmental portraits to illuminate the current life of the protagonists. I use the reflection of today to glean unusual perspectives on the past and I believe we can use this process to talk about our contemporary mindsets.My most recent projects investigate the Cold War, by its nature a psychological event. Whilst its history can be explored from many perspectives it cannot and could not be objectively photographed. This is not merely because of the passage of time and secrecy, but also because at its core are our tribal values and subjective mental states. However, I believe its effects and continuing narratives can be questioned and my photography works to capture these disappearing moments.
@barton_justin
justinbarton.co.uk
back to gallery