Featured Artist Valeriy Klamm

Russian artist Valeriy Klamm’s photography captures the essence of the Siberian countryside and the people who live there, giving the viewer a connection with its stark beauty and the warmth of its inhabitants. See more by visiting his website.

 

 

I’m a Siberian photographer and blogger. I was born fifty-six years ago in Novosibirsk, the geographical center of Russia, and I’m still here.

 

 

I visited exotic countries while I was heading big international photo expeditions throughout Northern Asia. I finally learned that the most exiting discoveries are waiting for us nearby—sometimes right around the corner.

 

 

Eight years ago I launched a photo blog community devoted to the daily life of rural Russians. I titled this project “Birthmarks On the Map” (Rodinki Na Karte).

 

 

In the Russian language the word rodinka means both “a birthmark,” (a small dark dot on the skin), and “a small Motherland,” (that place on the map which people call home).

 

 

The blog was a compilation of “the stories of simple heroes in simple circumstances” from Russian regions, captured by dozens of photographers, both famous and emerging.

 

 

My personal focus within this theme are the Siberian provinces. These are the images I want to share with the world. They are unseen places, with untold stories which I have presented using what I refer to as “photowords” and “fototexts.”

 

 

What happens when nothing appears to be happening? What is written between the lines of a story? What is living life and what is just survival?

 

 

I assembled a collection of works that I titled “By The Way.” It joins the self-published photo book, the visual archive and the photo exhibition. I invite viewers to dive into a reality that most don’t have a chance to experience—to find the differences and the commonalities, to feel the warmth of the Siberian people and their daily lives and go beyond the stereotypes.

 

 

I would be happy to show my “By The Way” collection outside of Russia. I think it’s extremely important now, when the global agenda is getting more and more crazy.

 

 

I believe it can bring even a bit more of the understanding that we all need to get along with each other, despite the differences in our cultures and homelands.

 

Artist Valeriy Klamm invites you to follow his Blog.

 

 

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