The five photographers Roman Pashkovsky, Sergey Sarakhanov, Daria Shramko, and Ksenia Kargina, and Taras Vorobets have participated in an incredible project called ‘be anyone, be yourself’, which was organized by Kyiv’s flea market Kurazh. In the project, dozens of brave heroes who suffer prejudice, for being different than ‘normal’ open up about themselves and their struggles. From a girl living with HIV to a man who became a woman, and a family raising a teenager with cerebral palsy. These people are united by a message addressed to everyone, regardless of age, sex, nationality, sexual orientation, and other characteristics. And the message is, whoever you are, it’s ok to be yourself.
#21 Dima, Tattoo Enthusiast
Have you faced discrimination?
It is our people’s mentality—to attack somebody who is odd. You go to throw away the garbage, but it seems like you are on a battlefield. Fifteen years ago, when I made my facial tattoo, people were looking at me as if I was some kind of monkey. If the tram stopped on a crossing, it would probably be hogged—everybody was staring at me out of the window. They also laughed at my girlfriends kinda like “How such a Beauty can go out with such a Beast?”
What was the outcome of the situation?
I understand that I have to prove my point via my deeds, not my appearance. When you are 40 years old, it is only your skillset that matters, not the length of your hair. I understood and felt it when I was 14, and the look I have now been the one I saw in my childhood dreams. So I’ve never paid attention to some awkward remarks and wry glances.
What do you like about yourself?
I just can enumerate the things I don’t—I don’t like the excessive sense of justice, but I can’t do anything about it.
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33points
#22 Denys
What kind of discrimination have you faced?
I had a dream to get a tattoo, but my parents were against it. They were divorced. I visited the tattoo studio for the first time with my mom. Dad figured it out when half of the arm had already been covered. Firstly, he told me that he would skin me alive. Then, when I showed him the picture, he said that it was beautiful.
What was the outcome of the situation?
I have two arms, chest, collarbone, neck, and thigh covered in tattoos; I also have four small ones on the right leg. At first, it was quite strange as people pay a lot of attention to big tattoos. Then I got used to it. People of ripe age even crossed themselves. But you get used to such kind of attention quite quickly.
What do you like about this situation?
Before I start getting tattoos, I was timid. It was hard for me to talk to anybody. Even such a trivial thing as getting to know some information seemed like an impossible task. I was just petrified. But once I got tattooed, I became more confident; I started to feel love for myself.
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32points
#23 Albert
Have you faced discrimination?
I am a person from an ordinary family from an ordinary dormitory district. I spent my whole life speaking the slang we are all used to there, and I still continue doing it. But sometimes I hear others saying that I am scum, even though I don’t think that scum is a style of speech. It is important for me to stay a good person and not pay attention to my speech. I am as I am.
Has it changed you somehow?
I understood that despite the popularity and being busy, it is necessary to stay who you are. You should help your dearest and nearest. You shouldn’t pretend. And you shouldn’t listen to anybody. There are many bad people in show business, but even with them you may communicate nicely and stay true to yourself.
What do you like about yourself the most?
The sense of irony. I am quite a sad person, and irony helps me to relax. I feel like an excellent student, who is not afraid to get F, and I feel better then.
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26points
Exploring the intricate interplay of individual struggles and triumphs, both photographers and subjects embark on a journey of self-discovery. While Anya Anti uses her art to deal with personal anxiety, another notable project showcases the resilience of people who face prejudice daily.
To gain a deeper understanding of addressing anxiety, you might find insights within this exploration of creative photography that becalms troubled minds.
