TPG Talks

In this closing chapter, Evgenia speaks on the theme of solitude. From her eerie, yet enchanting experience of being stranded in a hut by a herd of walruses – to the idea of understanding solitude: in the city, in the Arctic, in lockdown, in life.

In this penultimate chapter, Evgenia unpacks the significance and spirit of community, closeness and connection to the people and life that she photographs in the Arctic. Hear the story behind the photograph from her Chukotka series.

Despite warnings of polar bears and extreme conditions, hear why Evgenia returned to this abandoned room when the Northern Lights appeared, with nothing but stars sparkling in unison, a piano, and the soundtrack of silence.

In this chapter, Evgenia describes the unpredictability of the Northern Lights, lasting for a few minutes, or a few hours. After photographing the deserted town of Dikson, and the lights faded muting everything into darkness, listen to the dream-like story Evgenia and her brother experienced during the light of Aurora Borealis.

Before embarking on the journey to Kanin Nos, Evgenia asked the lighthouse keepers what items she should bring them. To her surprise, it was a specific response – one kilo of cucumbers, 10 bulbs of garlic and one kilo of apples. Explore the story behind the apples that travelled a long way.

In this chapter, Evgenia talks us through the interesting and intimate story of the meteorologists and lighthouse keepers. The couples, Evgenia and Ivan, photographed with their dog named Dragon, collect water samples to measure the salinity of the seawater in extreme freezing conditions.

In this prelude, Evgenia introduces us to her long-term project, whilst touching on the dynamics between people and her photography, and the instantly grounding experience in the Arctic as a visually cleansing and emotional reality.

Hear cross-disciplinary artist Mohamed Bourouissa discuss his nominated exhibition Free Trade (2019) as he explores his wider research into the mechanics of power, looking at economic systems and ongoing tensions between different social and cultural conditions.

A rare opportunity to hear from the renowned Swedish photographer

Known for intimate black and white documentary images, Anders Petersen is a key figure in shaping post-war photography. Over his career, he has worked internationally, taking on long-term commissions in cities such as Okinawa, Paris and Utrecht, observing and documenting local residents in both private and public spaces. This is an opportunity to hear Petersen reflect on the people and the historic streets – including our own neighbourhood, Soho – that dominate his photographs and why they continue to be a source of ongoing inspiration.

This event was chaired by independent curator Anna Sparham.