Fighting: Ukrainian War Photographers is an exhibition featuring images
captured by sixteen Ukrainian artists and photojournalists who are
documenting the invasion of their country by Russia. Organized for the U.S. by
FotoFest and curated by Jan Pohribný and Igor Malijevský with support from
the Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers, Fighting: Ukrainian
War Photographers offers a firsthand, in-depth view into the efforts of
Ukrainian citizens and military to preserve their sovereignty.
In February 2022, the Russian military launched a full-scale invasion of
Ukraine to forcefully reclaim the former Soviet country as part of Russian
President Vladimir Putin’s “Greater Russia” annexation project. Putin’s stated
plan was to launch a rapid full-scale military campaign in Ukraine and achieve
a quick surrender. A conflict predicted to last three to five weeks has, over a
year later, persisted due to the resistance, bravery, and resilience of the
Ukrainian people.
Fighting: Ukrainian War Photographers presents the stories of the Ukrainian
people through the photographs of sixteen Ukrainian photographers who are
serving on the frontlines of the Russian invasion. These photographers are
dedicated to showing the world the insurmountable costs and deadly reality
of war. Several of the included photographers have received Pulitzer Prize,
World Press Photo, and the Ukrainian State Badge of Honor recognition for
their commitment to public service and breaking news journalism.
Evacuation of civilians from Irpіn, Ukraine. March 4–5, 2022. Courtesy of Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers. © Sergi Mykhalchuk
Fighting: Ukrainian War Photographers includes photographs by Mstyslav
Chernov, Pavlo Dorohoy, Andriy Dubchak, Yurko Dyachyshyn, Alexey Furman,
Alena Grom, Serhii Korovayny, Olga Kovalova, Kostiantyn and Vlad Liberov,
Evgeny Maloletka, Sergi Mykhalchuk, Mikhail Palinchak, Danilo Pavlov,
Viacheslav Ratynskyi, and Alina Smutko.
The exhibition is divided into five discrete chapters: The Struggle, Mariupol,
Flight, Life and Loss in War, and Hope, which in total contain 255 images that
span from the documentation of destruction and loss of life to the ensuing
Ukrainian refugee crisis and the strength and determination of Ukrainian
citizens who have remained in their country to protect their homeland.
Fighting: Ukrainian War Photographers is on view at FotoFest between
October 5–November 18, 2023, with an opening reception taking place on
October 5, 6–8PM. The exhibition is complemented by a series of free public
programs including an exhibition tour, a contemporary classical concert copresented
with Musiqa, and a screening of Mstyslav Chernov’s acclaimed
2023 film 20 Days in Mariupol presented in partnership with the Holocaust
Museum Houston.
This exhibition is presented with support from the Ukrainian Association of
Professional Photographers and the Association of Professional
Photographers, Czech Republic.
Call sign “Kepka,” commander of the Nokhchi (Chechen) volunteer battalion named after Dzhokhar Dudayev as they prepare for a training exercise to sharpen their skills. The battalion recently returned from a combat mission in Bakhmut, which in early December was considered to be the most dangerous location on the front. Kyiv region, Ukraine. December 3, 2022. Courtesy of Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers. © Andriy Dubchak / Donbas Frontliner
Ukrainian soldiers during a combat operation on the front lines in Ukraine. September 11, 2022. Courtesy of Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers.© Sergi Mykhalchuk
Children with a Ukrainian flag and uniforms flash the victory sign on the central square of Kherson during celebrations of the city’s liberation by Ukrainian army. November 12, 2022. Courtesy of Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers. © Andriy Dubchak / Donbas Frontliner
is a Houston-based contemporary arts organization co-founded by
photojournalists Frederick Baldwin and Wendy Watriss. FotoFest is dedicated
to advancing photography and visual culture through the presentation of
exhibitions, public programs, and publications. The examination of society,
culture, and contemporary life through the lens of photography and related
media is central to FotoFest’s mission. In addition to the organization’s yearround
programming, FotoFest organizes a city-wide biennial project in the
form of large-scale central exhibitions, curated lectures, performances, a
symposium, and film programs. The organization also hosts several
professional development programs, including annually held Meeting Place
Portfolio Reviews, which host over 400 artists and 150 professionals working
in the field of art and photography. Through its Literacy Through Photography
curriculum, FotoFest organizes K-12 classroom-based learning projects
designed to encourage creativity and strengthen student writing,
comprehension, and expression, reaching thousands of students. A platform
for art and ideas since 1983, FotoFest is committed to promoting lasting
international dialogue, cultural exchange, scholarship, and community
enrichment by working with artists, audiences, academics, curators, and
influential figures in art, culture, and society.
Russian military forces launched artillery and air attacks on residential buildings in Irpin, resulting in significant damage and destruction. Approximately 70% of the buildings in the area were affected. A resident of Irpin is seen rebuilding his apartment in a destroyed building. Irpin, Ukraine. July 2022. Courtesy of Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers. © Alena Grom
is a nonprofit
public organization that has been involved in educational, social, and
cultural projects since 2013, supporting Ukrainian photographers,
photography schools, and publishers. UAPP deals with educational, social, and
cultural projects and represents Ukrainian professional photography in the
international photographic community. UAPP is an official member of the
Federation of European Photographers (FEP), an international organization,
which represents more than 50,000 professional photographers in Europe and
around the world.
The Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers unites professionals
from all spheres of commercial, documentary, and artistic photography of
Ukraine, represents them in the international photographic community, and
protects interests and rights at the national and international levels. The
members of the Association are the winners of international competitions of
professional photography, and the authors of many personal exhibitions,
projects, and publications. UAPP members have the exclusive right to obtain
EP, QEP, and MQEP qualifications to certify their professional level in
European countries.
The educational, social, and cultural projects are the main activities of the
Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers. The aim of UAPP is the
development and promotion of Ukrainian photography. UAPP aspires to unite
the Ukrainian professional photographic community; develop cultural
exchange; establish new partnerships with international organizations, and art
institutions, and work with grants.
People practice throwing Molotov cocktails in Zhytomyr, Ukraine. March 1, 2022. Courtesy of Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers. © Viacheslav Ratynskyi
A building destroyed by missile strikes in the center of Kharkiv, Ukraine. March 16, 2022. Courtesy of Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers. © Pavlo Dorogoy
Three children (Vlada, Katrin, Danilo) in the window of an emergency evacuation train from Kharkiv to Lviv as it is passing through Kyiv's railway station. The carriages have no heat, water, or toilets. March 3, 2022. Courtesy of Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers. © Andriy Dubchak / Donbas Frontliner
