Iryna Bavina

Biografi

I am a costume designer and photographer working with staged photography. In my practice, I create constructed scenes, directing models and building narratives that explore visual storytelling through image, costume, and composition. I use both disciplines — photography and costume design — as equal parts of one artistic language.
I communicate through images — in the language of symbols and metaphors. I create visual narratives that express important and universal ideas. For me, metaphor is not just a stylistic device but the core of storytelling, opening a symbolic space for reflection and emotional resonance.
I personally create every element of my work — from concept and costume design to props and set construction, as well as post-production. Each project begins with thorough research and meticulous preparation; the pre-production for a single image can take several months.
As a refugee from Ukraine, my work is deeply influenced by themes of war, politics, society, psychology, and trauma. Through visual metaphors, I explore how collective experiences shape individual identity and memory. My art becomes both a process of personal reflection and a way to process shared human wounds.