Conceptual nominee

Photographer Kristina Varaksina moved to the United States in 2011 at the age of twenty-nine
hoping to find a new home. Despite working in the US, being involved in the art scene, and immersing herself in social life in America, Varaksina still can’t consider herself “American”.
While having partially adopted an American mentality, she has still kept her inner Russian, which puts many things in a different perspective. However, on visits to Russia, Varaksina can’t feel at home there either – everything has changed, everyone’s life is different now, and some aspects of the Russian mentality now feel completely foreign.
Where do I belong? is a reflection of the feeling of not belonging anywhere. While traveling through many different countries and cities, the photographer Kristina Varaksina stayed at and took self-portraits in strangers’ homes. Each of the portraits reflects feelings of alienation and the desire to fit in, in some cases by literally trying to blend in with the environment. Making only minor alterations to the interiors, the artist tells a little story about each home, trying to imagine what life would be like living there.

Russian-born Kristina Varaksina has resided in the USA since 2010 and currently lives and works in New York.

Varaksina’s focus is to capture human emotion and the psychological impressions of her subjects' mind – permitting the characters to project their internal reality. Works undertaken are keen to explore a female and child perspective, evoking their thoughts, dreams and hopes.

Varaksina has been the recipient of a number of awards including:

Prix de la Photographie, Paris 2017. Professional Portraiture: Children, Silver. Professional Portraiture: Other, Gold.

Applied Arts Photography & Illustration Annual 2017

Communications Arts Photography Annual 2017

Int’l Photography Awards 2016 – Honorable Mention in Portrait, Fashion and Children categories

Prix De La Photographie Paris 2015 – 1st Place Advertising

Int’l Photography Awards 2015 – 1st Place in Beauty Category

Int’l Photography Awards 2015 – 2nd Place in Children Category

APA SF Something Personal 2014 1st Place

Communications Arts Best Creatives Annual ’55

Digital Photo Pro’s 2013 The Face 1st