Gomma Photography Grant 2021
The Strongest Bond
Photographer
Sergei Stroitelev
The Strongest Bond
01 Feb, 2022
In 2015, young Chechens and Dagestanis began to leave for territories controlled by Islamic State in search of a better life. The recruiters promised them paradise. In accordance with the traditions their wives had to follow the men. 2017 was marked by international campaigns to clear the above territories from illegal gangs. Men were killed during battles whereas their wives and children who did not take part in the conflict were sent to the widows' houses from where they were forbidden to leave. Eventually the part of them received sentences ranging from 15 years to life. Some girls have gone missing and have not been in touch with their mothers for several years. Mothers of these girls are ready for anything to return their daughters and grandchildren home. There are dozens of web-groups in which these women cling to the smallest crumbs of information about their beloved relatives. I project photographs of the missing ones onto the figures of their mothers and grandmothers, showing that the war has no boundaries - it can affect people living miles away the conflict. I am also willing to display the strongest bond between relatives which cannot be destroyed by distance and time.
About the photographer
Sergei Stroitelev
I am a freelance photographer and visual artist based in Saint-Petersburg, Russia working with National Geographic Russia, VICE UK/USA, De Volkskrant, Takie Dela, others. My photographic practice primarily focuses on the exploration of the issues of modern society. With the help of different visual languages and forms I look at 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. I am the awardee of the number of international contests such as: Award of Excellence in Portrait series category at POYi 2021, 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 (I was developing the grant for 3 months (April - June 2017) In Reggio Calabria, Italy cooperating with the local branch of Doctors of the World NGO whilst working on the several projects dedicated to the issue of migration in that region). I also teach photography at Fotografika academy in Saint-Petersburg.
