Journey to Eden [2023–2024]

“Journey to Eden” by photographer Siarhei Yazlavetski and art director Aleh Razhkou, is a documentary photography series that follows a gay couple from Eastern Europe who found refuge in London following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Through a series of intimate portraits and domestic scenes, the project traces their journey of self-reflection, belonging, and adaptation as they build a new life together in an unfamiliar country.

At its core, the work explores how migration and newfound freedom can reshape a relationship. For the first time, the couple live in a society where they can openly express their queer identity and be recognised as partners. While London offers safety and acceptance, it also introduces new questions about intimacy, commitment, and the future of their relationship. The project reflects on resilience, sanctuary, and the ways in which love evolves under changing circumstances.

The photographs are made using a pinhole camera and long-exposure techniques. The resulting blur becomes a visual language of uncertainty and transformation. In portraits where the partners appear separately, their figures often dissolve into movement, reflecting emotional anxiety and vulnerability. When photographed together, they remain noticeably more still, suggesting the calmness and support they find in one another. These moments of tenderness reveal the home they have built together as a fragile but enduring Eden.

Crafted in collaboration with Aleh Razhkou, a Cultural Projects Director from Belarus. Who is now residing in London, and passionate about exploring xenophobia and the pathways to its eradication. In a continual state of experimentation and self-observation, Aleh is utilising art as a universal language that bridges diverse communities. He places a special emphasis on the recognition and acceptance of the queer community in society.