Maija Bondar (b. 1981) was born in Ukraine. At the age of 7, she moved to Russia with her family and lived there for 17 years. Currently, she lives and works in Finland. In her creative practice, Maija utilizes photography.
In 2023, she received her initial education as a photographer, and she is currently studying at the Art Academy of the Turku University of Applied Sciences. Maija’s work has been recognized by CPOY, College Photographers of the Year, Helsinki Foto Festival, Budapest International Foto Awards, and others.
In her projects, Maija addresses themes related to identity, dehumanization, and the traumas inflicted on people by war.
Group exhibitions
2024 Kymmenes kaiku Köysiratagalleria, Turku
Jokainen ihminen on pieni maailma Galleria Hoppa, Jyväskylä
Just women Galerie Joseph Le Palais, Paris
2023 Nordic photography Swedish-Finnish Cultural Centre, Helsinki
Helsinki Photo Festival Sanoma House, Helsinki
Selected Awards
2023 College Photographer of the Year finalist
Helsinki Photo Festival winner
Kolga Tbilisi Photo shortlist
Publications
Helsingin Sanomat | See: Zeen Magazine | Float Magazine | F-Stop Magazine | Republic Magasin | Iconic Artist Magazine | “Colors of Orthodoxy” book | “Alue 16” book
Grants
2024 Arts Promotion Centre Finland
Finnfot
Education
2024 — Turku University of Applied Science, Fine Arts (Turku, Finland)
2024 Elina Brotherus Masterclass
2022 — 2024 Academy of Documentary and Art Photography Fotografika (Saint Petersburg, Russia)
2022 — 2023 Practical school Gradia, Media and visual expression Faculty (Jyväskylä, Finland)
1998 — 2004 North-Western State Technical University “Economics and Management at the
Enterprise” (Saint Petersburg, Russia)