Krakow Train Station: An Artist's Statement
In Krakow Train Station, I aim to capture both the chaos and resilience of the human spirit as millions of Ukrainian refugees sought refuge across the globe. Poland became a primary access point, where countless individuals began their uncertain journey toward safety. Each image in this series serves as a testament to the courage, pain, and hope of those who left behind homes, lives, and loved ones.
This project is deeply personal. I traveled to Krakow with my father, driven by a sense of duty to not only document but also support those impacted by this crisis. Together, we provided essentials—food, diapers, baby cots—and, through small gestures like offering a single tulip, we conveyed solidarity where words failed.
One particular image, The Silent Tulip, encapsulates this experience. A Ukrainian woman holds a tulip, a silent yet powerful symbol of resilience amidst turmoil. Moments earlier, she had ended a tense phone call, visibly emotional. In her expression, I saw both sorrow and strength, a reflection of the countless stories unfolding around us.
Through Krakow Train Station, I hope to inspire empathy, action, and a global commitment to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty. This project underscores the importance of standing firm against the forces of aggression and refusing to reward acts of war. It is a call to bear witness, to remember, and to uphold the right of a people to retain their land and freedom in the face of oppression.
