Waitresses, 08.2023, Narva, Estonia. © Natalia Kepesz

Iron Curtain

Natalia Kepesz

2023  — Estonia, Ukraine

About this series

Since Russia’s attack on Ukraine, an Iron Curtain has closed again in the middle of Europe. How does it feel to have Russia as a neighbor? What does it mean to live now, at this time, at this glo­bal breaking point? What does everyday life look like for people who remain invisible on maps?
On a journey through five countries, from Estonia to Ukraine, we meet young people who are chang­ing their life plans. Old people who fear a repeti­tion of history and children who learn to shoot. An expedition into a little­ known world – and yet into the soul of our continent. (Text  Henning Sußebach)

08.2023, Bus to Lviv, Ukraine. © Natalia Kepesz
The reunion von Olga and her boyfriend, 08.2023, Lviv, Ukraine. © Natalia Kepesz
Bags for protection in front of a church, 08.2023, Lviv, Ukraine. © Natalia Kepesz
Children by the river, Russia is on the other side. 08.2023, Narva, Estonia. © Natalia Kepesz
Residential area, 08.2023, Narva, Estonia. © Natalia Kepesz
Anastasia learns to shoot during the camp, 08.2023, Camp at Peipsi järv see, Estonia. © Natalia Kepesz
River Narva and Watchtower in Russia. 08.2023, Narva, Estonia. © Natalia Kepesz
Girls on their way to the Barbie premiere, 08.2023, Bus to Lviv, Ukraine. © Natalia Kepesz
On the road, 08.2023, Lettland. © Natalia Kepesz
Girl in the Forest, 08.2023, Camp at Peipsi järv see, Estonia.© Natalia Kepesz

Photographer: Natalia Kepesz
Nationality: Polish
Based in: Berlin, Germany
Website: www.nataliakepesz.de
Instagram: @nataliakepesz

The polish photographer Natalia Kepesz lives and works in Berlin. After graduating in cultural studies and art history at the Humboldt University Berlin, she studied photography at the Ostkreuzschule Berlin and at Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig/ Academy of FineArts Leipzig (Klasse Bara). She uses photography as a means of self-expression to identify with hidden qualities of her character, to better understand her reality, and to express her interpretation of the world around her. By photographing, she transforms her own childhood memories. Growing up was always accompanied by the urge to discover something else.
Natalia Kepesz is a World Press Photo Contest 2021 Portrait Series winner (3rd Prize), a winner of Portraits- Hellerau Photography Award 2021 (Residence Prize) and exhibition winner of Belfast Photo Festival 2021 and Photo Israel 2021. She is Les Jours Prize winner of Les Boutographies – recontres photographiques de Montpellier 2021. She won Nikon Grant 2023 und was a finalist at Dior Photography and Visual Arts Award for Young Talents 2024.

Exhibitions:
2025 Hannover, Vonovia Award Exhibition
2024 Dior Photography and Visual Arts Award for Young Talents finalist exhibition, Les Rencontres d’Arles, LUMA Arles, FR
2024 Hellerau Dresden, Finalist exhibition, Dresden, DE
2024 Copenhagen Photo Festival, Copenhagen, DK
2024 SOLO EXHIBITION, FOTOGALERIE Friedrichshain, 24.11.2023-26.01.2024, Berlin, DE