Ula Wiznerowicz

Photographer

Behind The Curtain

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Location: Amsterdam

Nationality: Polish

Biography: Â Ula Wiznerowicz (b. 1986) studied a BA Hons Degree in Photography at Middlesex University (2010). Her photographs have been exhibited widely with solo shows in Italy, England and Poland. Working mainly within social documentary photography,... MORE

Jozef K. (1965- 2012)

My son was in his eighth year o...t's in self defence.'

My son was in his eighth year of school. Once he stood up to his dad and said 'You're not going to abuse mum or grandma again'. The father was in the middle of doing something and was holding an axe, so the son picked up a pitchfork and said 'Come on then, this pitchfork is longer. Let's get it over with, I won't go down if it's in self defence.'

He's been gone for three h...039;ll be back in half an hour.

He's been gone for three hours already. I look out the window and every time a car appears on the horizon I hope it's him. Every day he says he has to go to the shop to buy something like a screw, a washer or a nail. He's just looking for an excuse to get out of the house and go for a drink with someone, saying he'll be back in half an hour.

When he came back from prison h...who will pay for all our grief?

When he came back from prison he never even said sorry. He doesn't talk to me anymore and he stopped coming over since he finished that bloody house. In court they asked if I forgive him. I said alright, but who will pay for all our grief?

I saw many of them very, very d... I realised this was a problem.

I saw many of them very, very drunk every day when I was growing up. In fact it was normal to see drunk people all the time. It was only when I got older that I realised this was a problem.

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Thumbnail of My son was in his eighth year of_it's in self defence.'

Thumbnail of He's been gone for three ho_#039;ll be back in half an hour.

Thumbnail of When he came back from prison he_ who will pay for all our grief?

Thumbnail of I saw many of them very, very dr_t I realised this was a problem.

Public Story

Behind The Curtain

Updated Dec 2010

Topics Documentary

"Behind the Curtain”

Forgotten and useless things covered in dust; emaciated cats running around searching for leftovers; rooms taken over by spider webs and the strong odour of alcohol. This is just part of the chaos I found photographing over a period of one year in my village, Palmowo and the surrounding area in Poland. The series represents a personal journey through the individual stories of the men and women dealing with alcoholism. I have attempted to create a visual narrative to reflect on my own story of the past. All the characters are not necessarily alcoholics, but everyone has been affected by alcoholism, through family or friendship.

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