Silent Fleeting Sorrows

PHOTOGRAPHY

Apr 10

The Balkan conflict ended over 20 years ago but today’s citizens are still defined by the aftermath of the war, economic and emigration crises. Photographer Matej Jurčević creates a visual connection through portraiture of the young generation faced with modern-day challenges.

Text and Photography Matej Jurcevic

With this project I am unraveling a story about a heritage of distrust and cultural tension in modern-day Slavonia, Croatia. With its multilayered history of war, economic and emigration crises, the region holds up a mirror to the world at large. The project is focusing on the unique set of challenges growing up in such landscapes presents on the identity, self-esteem and beliefs of young people.

“Its multilayered history of war, economic and emigration crises, the region holds up a mirror to the world at large.”

The project has received support through the VID Grant mentorship award offered by the VID Foundation for Photography. Mentored by Shannon Ghannam through the VID program, as well as through the Futures Photography Platforms tutoring program mentored by Markéta Kinterová.

About Matej

Matej Jurčević (b.1995, Croatia) graduated from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp with a MA in Photography. In his artistic practice he explores themes of identity, collective memory and youth culture. He is a recipient of the VID Grant award for 2021 hosted by the VID Foundation for Photography. The award is granted to photographers exploring relevant social issues in the Balkans. In 2022 he published his first photobook: I try to take care of myself now. The book was published by Organ Vida Publishing.

To see more of his work, visit his website or follow him on Instagram

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Silent Fleeting Sorrows

The Balkan conflict ended over 20 years ago but today’s citizens are still defined by the aftermath of the war, economic and emigration crises. Photographer Matej Jurčević creates a visual connection through portraiture of the young generation faced with modern-day challenges.

“Its multilayered history of war, economic and emigration crises, the region holds up a mirror to the world at large.”

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