Ukraine – Searching for the Normal

Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Cathal McNaughton makes a poignant return to Belfast Exposed this April, unveiling his latest collection of images entitled ‘Ukraine – Searching for the Normal’.

These powerful photographs offer a compelling perspective on the enduring political struggles in Ukraine. McNaughton’s lens has previously captured the world’s attention with his photographic chronicles of the plight of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar and with ‘Kashmir: Valley of Tears’, as previously showcased at Belfast Exposed. These bodies of work earned him the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Photography in 2018.

‘Ukraine: Searching for the Normal’ exemplifies his unmatched skill and empathy as a visual storyteller, vividly narrating the tale of a nation grappling with the turmoil of war while striving to maintain an aspect of everyday life.

He dedicated two weeks to traversing Ukraine, meticulously documenting the profound impact of the war on its people. The haunting backdrop of daily funerals and the ceaseless wall of air raid sirens served as an eerie soundtrack to his time spent there. Through his lens, McNaughton uncovered a resilient populace, embroiled in the chaos of war, yet steadfastly committed to preserving a semblance of normalcy.

THE ARTIST

Cathal McNaughton

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Belfast Exposed is supported by Belfast City Council and the Arts Council for Northern Ireland.