Photo exhibitions by two London-based photographers, who use their talent to capture moments in time, are set to show the true strength of Ukrainian guests that are currently residing in the UK at The London Photo Show next week.
Both Emily Travis, a 49-year-old mother of three, and Nic Arnold, a 46-year-old father of two, have both unknowingly submitted exhibitions showcasing the stories and lives of now UK-based Ukrainian mothers and daughters and both are showcasing their work to raise funds to help those still in Ukraine.
The London Photo Show, which is in its seventh year, is free to visit and view and takes place at London’s Bargehouse Gallery, situated in the iconic Oxo Tower Wharf, this week between 13th and 16th October 2022.
Emily’s collection features the woman refugee she is currently hosting, as well as the other Ukrainian women and children she has met through her newfound friend.
Talking of how she came to start her photographic journey, Emily, a photographer by trade, recalls: “From the moment I met Tetiana I was overwhelmed by her strength. She was not broken, and she was not negative, she was full of positivity, and resilience, and ready to make the most of what this new part of her life could offer her. With my photographic background and day-to-day job, I just knew I would want to capture her if she was happy for me to do so.
“When we got to know each other better, and I felt I could ask, she was more than happy to be my muse. It quickly came apparent how proud she was of her country, and she wanted to include the national flag in all her pictures, something that became the link between all my images in the end.
From her first images with her guest, a term which has become the recognised way to introduce those who are hosted refugees, Emily politely asked those she met through Tetiana to also be photographed, she continued: “The strength I first saw in Tetiana was seen time and time again in each woman or mother that I met. Some left behind incredible careers as well as loved ones. From husbands to brothers, elderly parents, and even very much-loved pets. Yet, they seemed to just focus on what was in the here and now and how they could make the very best of their newfound situation.
“For instance, one lady I met ran a very successful bakery back in Kyiv that she just had to get up and leave one day, but now aged 50 odd was looking to train as a make-up artist here, as she wanted to try something new. I just find them all utterly incredible.”
Emily is set to use her exhibition to raise funds to help those that have sadly been left behind. She is donating any money raised to the charity, MSF (https://msf.org.uk/) which has been in Ukraine providing medical care and medicine to those in the conflict area.
Fellow exhibitor, Nic Arnold, who is an IT specialist by day and photographer by night, felt compelled to help Ukrainian refugees after seeing first-hand the devastation of the war through images and stories from his fellow Ukrainian colleagues.
Nic spoke about the inspiration for his exhibition: “In my job, I work with a lot of Ukrainian colleagues – both in Ukraine and across the world. All of them have been personally impacted by the brutal, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russia back in February. It was very emotional to see photos of my colleagues’ destroyed homes and talking to people who are living with their families in basements to escape the shelling. Many of my colleagues have now moved – either to the West of Ukraine, away from the fighting, or to other countries: including the UK.
“Seeing this first-hand made me want to find ways to help Ukrainian refugees in the UK. To that end, I’ve been providing several portrait sittings in return for donations to charity. Many of the images in my exhibition are from these very sittings. Some that I think are special are a few photos of a refugee mother and daughter, dressed in traditional Ukrainian vyshyvanka clothing. They used to live near Bucha (a town just outside Kyiv) but left when the war started. I think they capture the unbreakable bond and love the pair share.”
