Remembering and documenting is an important theme for Katerina Motylova, a Ukrainian photographer and bookmaker. As the war in Ukraine continues, Katerina deals with the trauma and its many manifestations in daily life. When discussing her approach to capturing these histories in her work, Katerina explained that she primarily works with close friends, family members, or acquaintances, allowing her to document trauma in a sensitive way. She acknowledged that sharing these stories publicly is not always easy, but believes that it is important to document them and question the ethics of doing so. During our conversation, Katerina raised questions about the difference between photojournalism and artistic practice. She explained that for her, photojournalism is about delivering fact to the audience, without an opinion attached to it. Katerina’s work shows the discomfort of women, as she calls it. When discussing her approach, Katerina said, “I don’t want to add to the existing images of Ukraine in ruins, that. I’m tired of that type of reporting, especially since the war has been going on for 9 years now, since the invasion of Crimea in 2014.” She continues: “In my work, I aim to make visible the powerful forces that have deeply influenced the people of Ukraine, dating back to the time when they were made to believe in the promise of a Soviet utopia that once promised brotherhood, equality, and friendship. Due to the fear and repressions of the past, my own family’s history has been erased, leaving my parents with a sense of uncertainty about their identity and origins. Through my work, I hope to piece together the fragments of our shattered past, even though I sometimes fear there is little left to salvage.”
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