A selection of images from the project of Prague-based photographer Varvara Gorbunova (previously featured here). A common thread in Gorbunova’s personal work is human connection and intimacy. “Going Home” consists of photos taken in Gorbunova’s hometown. The series explores the idea of returning home from the perspective of an immigrant, or simply from the perspective of someone who has moved away.
“Have you ever tried to put into words what it feels like to come home after being away for a while? There’s a certain melancholy to it – you see your parents aging, buildings being torn down, rivers drying up. It all looks familiar, But it’s different. But it’s so warm and cozy. It tastes like grandma’s cooking and smells like a campfire. Ephemeral, yet somehow ever-present, it’s like you’re covered with a big, soft duvet and no worries or worries can descend upon you. You feel so light that you almost float away from the world. It all seems so far away. You dive into a sea of vague memories, time reverses, and your childhood emerges from the past and becomes your present again.”
Varvara Gorbunova entered and was shortlisted for our 2024 Art + Photography Book Awards. Click here to learn more about upcoming open recruitment opportunities!