Talk To Me

Talk To Me is a reflection written by Peter Lindbergh in response to the work of Lesia Maruschak and to the conversations they shared. Moving through themes of land, identity, migration, and belonging, the text offers an intimate meditation on artistic practice, memory, and human connection.

Peter Lindbergh - 2017

Lesia Maruschak (bold) / Peter Lindbergh, (italics) 

I was moved when I first saw your photographs.

I feel lost in the world, as I wander and find myself … may be too much truth?

There was a beautiful, presence of you. I could feel your courage and your uncompromising search. Now, knowing more about you and your work, your thoughts, and this deep, inner identity you have and knowing about your longing to stay connected in your own beautiful way, with your past and future

I am a person whose family emigrated from another place. They left something, everyone, to become part of another.  My works show what that looks like and feels like for me today and how I try to make sense of who I am.  “Land for them was freedom … for me the land is the place where I am most connected with past, my life and myself”

 I can see a place inside of you, full with bright and amazing knowledge, waiting to be found ...

I work to share my view of the land – not with my eyes - with my heart. And how the world we inhabit points to a spiritual place.  For this reason, I seem to be drawn to horizons and empty landscapes.

There is one other way to find this place inside of you.  This way is less secure, even dangerous and risky, but it could be worth trying. This way would request you to abandon your roots and securities, to maybe find in exchange total freedom and independence from and for yourself and your work.

We are complicated or maybe simple beings.  I know for certain things change and so do we.  This place you describe is very compelling and the invitation is one I welcome.  As long as we journey with empathy, respect, hope and love for all and everything it is worth it to me.

I very much admire the honesty in your work and I do feel your love and empathy in all your photographs I know and love.                                    

Lesia Maruschak

Peter Lindbergh