Bio
Maija Bondar (b. 1981) was born in Ukraine. At the age of seven, she moved to Russia with her family. 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.
CV
Awards:
2023 — Budapest International Foto Awards, Gold winner in Portfolio / Personal
2023 — Budapest International Foto Awards, Gold winner in Editorial / Conflict
2023 — College Photographer of the Year finalist
2023 — Helsinki Photo Festival winner
2023 — Kolga Tbilisi Photo shortlist
2021 — “Documentary Family Awards” finalist
2020 — “Colors of Orthodoxy” winner
Publications:
See: Zeen Magazine | Float Magazine | F-Stop Magazine | Republic Magasin | Helsingin Sanomat | Iconic Artist Magazine | “Colors of Orthodoxy” book
Education:
2024 — Turku University of Applied Science, Fine Arts (Turku, Finland)
2022 — 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)