UNHCR UKRAINE APPEAL

I have worked in Ukraine several times over the last three decades. I was first there in the late 90s, one of a number of trips I made over a three month period for the UNHCR and a public information film project and I have been back since filming for other charity projects. Ukraine is a beautiful country, but with a very turbulent history and whilst that has probably steeled its people with a toughness and a resilience, in my experience, it hasn’t compromised their warmth, hospitality or spirit.

Like so many, I was shocked when Putin’s army invaded Ukraine and have felt completely powerless watching it all unfold across so many media channels. With the time that I’ve spent there and the people I’ve met over the course of those projects, I felt a connection and a need to do something meaningful to help, in whatever way I could.

These photographs were taken for the UNHCR in 1998 in Ukraine and Crimea. They are moments captured from how I remember it; a fascinating and unique country, populated by extraordinary, strong and honourable people. The images were used in a cinema film and print campaign I was employed to create. Its purpose was to help repatriate Ukrainian and Crimean citizens who’d been deported in 1944 by the Soviet Government. The project was a huge success and according to official UNHCR figures as a direct result of the campaign, 83,416 former deportees were able to claim Ukrainian citizenship and civil rights as a citizen. Whilst it is a success story I still feel incredibly proud to have been part of, I now also feel devastated for all Ukrainians who have once again been subjected to unimaginable suffering and subsequent displacement at the hands of Russian oppressors. The headline I wrote for the campaign was ‘Be Free in Your Own Country’ and right now, never more has that sentiment been so resonant. 

Profits from the sales of these prints will go back to the UNHCR to help with the growing Ukrainian refugee crisis.

The photos were taken on my old Hassleblad 501CM with KODAK 6×6 E200 120 film. They will be printed as Giclée fine art prints, either 12″ x 12″ in a 16″ x 16″ black frame or 8″ x 12″ in a 12″ x 16″ black frame.

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Thank you for your support.