The University of Salford are hosting an upcoming international symposium, Researching and Curating Photography from Ukraine: reflections, perspectives, challenges, held at the University of Salford's New Adelphi Theatre, from the 4–5th March 2024.

Organised by Open Eye Gallery, the Ukrainian Institute, and the University of Salford, and funded by the British Council, this symposium aims to shed light on the history and variety of practices shaping photography in Ukraine, focusing on documentary photography as a decolonial practice and its capability to capture historical events. The symposium will connect leading photographers, curators, researchers and art practitioners from Ukraine, the UK and Europe in order to structure and extend the knowledge about photography and visual practices in Ukraine. The symposium also aims to establish a network of internationally leading curators and researchers interested in working with Ukrainian photography and visual culture. 

Alongside the symposium, the New Adelphi building will display the Home exhibition on its first stop of the Arts Council England funded UK tour, with an evening launch event held on Monday 4th March from 6–7:30PM. Home showcases work by 15 Ukrainian photographers who reveal Ukrainians’ current experience, and fundamental human values that underpin our idea of ‘home’: family and friends in a safe space, the beautiful landscapes, culture, and identity. The exhibition was first shown in Liverpool at Open Eye Gallery in May 2023. The accompanying film to the exhibition, Home from Home, will screen for a week in the exhibition space of the New Adelphi.

Attendance for the symposium is free, but an RSVP is required through the Eventbrite page here, where you can also find more detail about the events. 

The talks will be live streamed via Open Eye Gallery's YouTube channel – please register your interest through the Eventbrite for updates.

Photo credit: Alexander Chekmenev and image made by University of Salford