Evgenia Arbugaeva: Arctic Stories - Introduction

In this closing chapter, Evgenia speaks on the theme of solitude. From her eerie, yet enchanting experience of being stranded in a hut by a herd of walruses – to the idea of understanding solitude: in the city, in the Arctic, in lockdown, in life. Evgenia Arbugaeva: Hyperborea - Stories from the Russian Arctic exhibition is available at The Photographers' Gallery from 9 Oct 2020 – 24 Jan 2021. Visit tpg.org.uk/EvgeniaArbugaeva for more exhibition-related content.

In this penultimate chapter, Evgenia unpacks the significance and spirit of community, closeness and connection to the people and life that she photographs in the Arctic. Hear the story behind the photograph from her Chukotka series. Evgenia Arbugaeva: Hyperborea - Stories from the Russian Arctic exhibition is available at The Photographers' Gallery from 9 Oct 2020 – 24 Jan 2021. Visit tpg.org.uk/EvgeniaArbugaeva for more exhibition-related content.

Despite warnings of polar bears and extreme conditions, hear why Evgenia returned to this abandoned room when the Northern Lights appeared, with nothing but stars sparkling in unison, a piano, and the soundtrack of silence. Evgenia Arbugaeva: Hyperborea - Stories from the Russian Arctic exhibition is available at The Photographers' Gallery from 9 Oct 2020 – 24 Jan 2021. Visit tpg.org.uk/EvgeniaArbugaeva for more exhibition-related content.

In this chapter, Evgenia describes the unpredictability of the Northern Lights, lasting for a few minutes, or a few hours. After photographing the deserted town of Dikson, and the lights faded muting everything into darkness, listen to the dream-like story Evgenia and her brother experienced during the light of Aurora Borealis. Evgenia Arbugaeva: Hyperborea - Stories from the Russian Arctic exhibition is available at The Photographers' Gallery from 9 Oct 2020 – 24 Jan 2021. Visit tpg.org.uk/EvgeniaArbugaeva for more exhibition-related content.

Before embarking on the journey to Kanin Nos, Evgenia asked the lighthouse keepers what items she should bring them. To her surprise, it was a specific response – one kilo of cucumbers, 10 bulbs of garlic and one kilo of apples. Explore the story behind the apples that travelled a long way. Evgenia Arbugaeva: Hyperborea - Stories from the Russian Arctic exhibition is available at The Photographers' Gallery from 9 Oct 2020 – 24 Jan 2021. Visit tpg.org.uk/EvgeniaArbugaeva for more exhibition-related content.

In this chapter, Evgenia talks us through the interesting and intimate story of the meteorologists and lighthouse keepers. The couples, Evgenia and Ivan, photographed with their dog named Dragon, collect water samples to measure the salinity of the seawater in extreme freezing conditions. Evgenia Arbugaeva: Hyperborea - Stories from the Russian Arctic exhibition is available at The Photographers' Gallery from 9 Oct 2020 – 24 Jan 2021. Visit tpg.org.uk/EvgeniaArbugaeva for more exhibition-related content. 

In this prelude, Evgenia introduces us to her long-term project, whilst touching on the dynamics between people and her photography, and the instantly grounding experience in the Arctic as a visually cleansing and emotional reality. Evgenia Arbugaeva: Hyperborea - Stories from the Russian Arctic exhibition is available at The Photographers' Gallery from 9 Oct 2020 – 24 Jan 2021. Visit tpg.org.uk/EvgeniaArbugaeva for more exhibition-related content.

Known for her work during the Mississippi Civil Rights movement, hear from legendary activist and documentary photographer Dr Doris Derby journey through her activism, artistic connections, and reasons for picking up, and putting down the camera. Derby is widely recognised for her explorations of black history and culture, producing thousands of photographs documenting the struggles and hopes of African Americans in the 1960s and 70s. This event was chaired by artist Hannah Collins at The Photographers' Gallery on March 6 2020. 

Hear cross-disciplinary artist Mohamed Bourouissa discuss his nominated exhibition Free Trade (2019) as he explores his wider research into the mechanics of power, looking at economic systems and ongoing tensions between different social and cultural conditions. This conversation was chaired by artist and editor Dámaso Randulfe (Migrant Journal), at The Photographers’ Gallery on February 21 2020.

In exploration and celebration of Black British culture, GUAP – a youth-led digital media platform, curated an event at TPG that explored the talent, narrative and significant voices that have shaped Black British culture. Listen here to the vibrant, honest and on point panel discussion had by: photographer Vanley Burke, art director Erin O’Garro, writer and diversity advisor, Bilal Harry Khan, and poet and artist, Abondance Matanda. This event was chaired by Jide Adetunji, co-founder of GUAP at The Photographers’ Gallery on October 24 2019.