The Harsh Path of Migration: Elene Shengelia's Evocative photographs
© Elene Shengelia
Text by Oman Morí
Georgian photographer Elene Shengelia captures the lives of society's marginalized groups and different diasporas in her homeland. Her documentary-style yet poetic approach portrays women's roles in Georgian society and the country's ongoing cultural transformation. However, her journey took a significant turn when she migrated to New York, leading her to explore her own experiences of migration, along with those of her fellow artists and Georgian professionals attempting to build a community while facing the challenges of isolation and alienation in a bustling city like New York.
© Elene Shengelia
Shengelia's latest project, "Performance of the Everyday," ventures into the complexities of immigration and the emotional rollercoaster it entails. The artist meticulously crafts large-scale staged photographs using 4X5 film, examining the impact of dislocation on people's everyday lives. Her exploration centers on the notion that being detached from a specific place can distort the authenticity of one's actions, ultimately transforming life into an overarching performance art. Through the lens of her camera, she examines ordinary life scenes, daily routines, and interactions, all reimagined and played out by two main actors who have experienced immigration themselves.
© Elene Shengelia
© Elene Shengelia
“These characters are like me, fellow artists hailing from Georgia now navigating life in New York – artists without a conventional stage or prewritten script. Through our collaboration, we embark on a collective introspection, meditating on the shared nuances of our journeys. This collaboration forms a triangular relationship where we find ourselves in identical circumstances. By openly sharing our experiences, we endeavor to articulate the complex emotions associated with immigration”.
© Elene Shengelia
© Elene Shengelia
Shengelia's photographs evoke the liminal space that characterizes the immigrant journey, reflecting the resilience and struggles of those navigating the harsh path of migration. “They capture the essence of dwelling in uncertainty – a space where one neither truly belongs nor fully comprehends, yet strives to express and communicate the profound impact of this existence”.
© Elene Shengelia
To learn more, visit Elene Shengelia’s instagram profile: www.instagram.com/elene_shengelia
