Eddie van Wessel’s Kyiv Exhibition: Human Stories Through War Photography

Eddie van Wessel in Pokrovsk, November 2024. Instagram/eddyvanwessel/Stanislav Krupar

Among the world’s photographs created by Eddy van Vessell, the image of an adult couple from Bakhmut stands out in particular: the frame conveys not only the destruction but also a deep humanity that keeps people in the difficult circumstances of war. This work has become one of the millions of stories he continues to tell through his photographs. Today, a large-scale master exhibition is underway in the Netherlands, and in Kyiv the State of Will exhibition opened at the Dovzhenko Centre. Van Vessell notes that it is worth returning to people and telling their stories so that viewers see the horrors of war through the lives of specific individuals. Also among the shooting tools is a unique old camera found in Kharkiv, which is now used for a new stage of documenting.

In an interview with cultural media, Eddy shares details about the discovered camera and about the importance of empathy and imagery in his work, recalls the cities he grew fond of during his work in Ukraine, and his motivation to return here with new stories. His time in Ukraine began in the 1990s: from 1995 to 2000 he worked as a photojournalist during conflicts in Chechnya and regularly crossed the Ukrainian border. The hospitality of Ukrainians and their openness have remained with him as an important contrast to the European space.

“I work alone, without a translator or an assistant. I simply travel, go where I want, and see something interesting.”

Dissemination of the photographs and the story of aid

The photo of the couple from Bakhmut, which he posted online, circulated around the world: translator Danylo helped convey the cross-language context. After publication, the image prompted requests for help – people eagerly sent funds via PayPal and to a local number organized by the couple’s grandson. Van Vessell notes that for him this was a way to truly support the people who appeared in the frame.

“What can we do to help?”

Empathy and new approaches to documentation

During the discussion, he talks about the role of empathy in photography: shooting people as close as possible to their daily life, he tries to gather as much information as possible and immerse the viewer in the world of a particular story. Another significant theme is the use of an old glass-plate camera that he bought in Kharkiv in 2022: this is part of an expedition to document the war in another way – through the silence that can scream if you look at it closely. Van Vessell emphasizes that this approach allows conveying the essence of the conflict without the immediate flood of newspaper headlines.

“You know, sometimes when you’re engaged in photography, you feel like a thief.”

According to the organizers, the State of Will exhibition in Kyiv will run until November 2, 2025. In Europe, the exhibition has been extended at least twice, and now it is being extended to 2027. It combines frontline images from Ukraine, materials about the lives of families that stayed abroad, and video materials with monologues of people who talk to each other. Such works bring wars closer to every visitor and allow them to feel the immediacy of events that are ongoing now.

He also reflects on the role of photographs in the modern world, where images are often reduced to consumption. The photographer emphasizes that every photo should be a genuine reflection of the times and of human experience, not merely a visual entertainment. Therefore, he continues to return to Ukraine so that each photograph becomes part of a dialogue about the cost of war and hope for the future.

Additional information about the exhibition and its impact can be found in cultural-review materials. Eddie van Vessell’s exhibition is ongoing in Kyiv and engages an international audience, demonstrating the power of images in rethinking contemporary conflicts.