Masha Osipova
Born in Moscow and lived there till the age of 11. Masha then moved to Amsterdam together with her brothers and sisters.
Her memories of her Russian youth remained buoyant and for her graduation project for the Amsterdam Photo Academy she decided to travel to the Russian city of Kolchugino.
Kolchugino is a typical Russian town about 100 kilometers North of Moscow. It is the place where her mother grew up. Masha's 82 years old aunt Shura was her only living relative still there. Shura was old and almost blind and deaf. She was never married or had children and all of her brothers and sisters have passed away.
For Masha Osipova her aunt was a symbol of unconditional love, perseverance and hope: synonymous with the Russian spirit.
"As a visual life-catcher I observe human beings and communities that intrigue me. I’m attracted to subjects that touch nostalgia. Themes like elderly people, the vulnerability of adolescents or social communities that are being submerged in modern life.
With my slow journalism method I strive to translate forgotten and fading stories into a visual narrative. I aim to enhance the voice of the people and subjects I document. Composing an inner mirror out of the personal power of my subjects and expose its vulnerability to the world.
Everything I document is very close to myself. I reveal stories of others for interpretation. Gradually collecting my own story and identity piece by piece".
Exhibitions:
2011
(January) Pakhuis de Zwijger, Amsterdam (solo)
(....) ‘My Russia’ in Melkweg Gallery, Amsterdam (solo)
2010
'Photoacademy Award Show', Designcentrum, Antwerpen, Belgium
'Photoacademy Award Show', Rotterdam, NL
'Photoacademy Award Show', Photogallery Groningen, NL
2009
‘Onder Anderen’, &KoenseSeverein, Amsterdam, NL
'Photoacademy Award Show', Photomuseum Antwerp, Belgium
'Photoacademy Award Show', Fotogram, Amsterdam, NL
The Photo Academy Award 2009, Photo Museum The Hague, NL
2008
'Just Arrived', Photo Academy Groningen, NL
'Noorderlicht', International Photo Biennale, Leeuwarden, NL
'Foreign Ground', Ververs Gallery, Amsterdam, NL
'Just Arrived', Gallery Fotogram, Photo Academy, Amsterdam, NL
'Exposuretime', Loods 6, Amsterdam, NL
2007
Nikki Network, Gallery 408, Amsterdam, NL
Russian October Festival, Amsterdam, NL
Art Academy, Tbilisi, Geogia
'Yoghurinos', Lloyd Hotel, Amsterdam, NL (solo) 2006
Circus Design, Amsterdam, NL
Other achievements:
Winner Pitch @ De Donkere Kamer event (2010)
Eddie Adams workshop, U.S.A. (2010)
ISSP workshop by George Georgiou, Latvia (2010)
Guest lectures @ Hoge School Rotterdam (2009 - 2010)
Winner exhibition Melkweg Gallery and four nominations for The Photo Academy Award (2009)
Leading a photographers expedition to Kazakhstan www.facesofkazakhstan.com (2009)
Nomination Joop Swart Masterclass, World Press Photo (2009)
Graduated in documentary/journalism photography @ Photo Academy Amsterdam (2008)
Artist exchange project in Georgia (2007)
