POETRY, PAIN & POWER
WINONA OAK
COVER STORIES
Latest on ZERO.NINE
Faith in Transition
In a remote valley of Northwest Pakistan, Danish photographer Laura Riis documents a quiet transformation. Her project captures the personal and cultural complexities of religious conversion among the Kalash—a small indigenous community navigating the tension between ancestral traditions and Islam. Through tender, intimate portraits, Riis explores faith, identity, and the difficult choices faced by a new generation.
The Mark of a Terrible Sun
Photographer Ioanna Sakellaraki presents a poetic exploration of disaster and resilience in the Pacific Ring of Fire. Through haunting imagery of Melanesia, the project blurs the line between history and myth, destruction and survival. The Mark of a Terrible Sun will be on view at Hillvale Gallery, Melbourne, Australia, from April 10 to May 11.
Ghost Notes: Portrait of Punk in Derby
Ghost Notes: Portrait of Punk in Derby explores Derby’s enduring punk spirit through portraits and sound, capturing how this subculture shapes identity and community. Commissioned by FORMAT Festival, photographer Francis Augusto documents punk’s evolution—from radical roots to modern expressions—revealing a vibrant, intergenerational movement that continues to challenge norms and foster creativity in unexpected spaces.
ELEGOS
ZERO.NINE AWARD
Elias Yannas Tsigounis is the winner of the inaugural ZERO.NINE Award
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Interview Holly Wyche
MOMOTXORRO: The Wild Spirit of the Carnival
Our cover story this month pays homage to the wilderness and the ancient gatherings that celebrated the earth, the sun, and the cycles of nature — a reminder of our roots as an artificial intelligence world rapidly grows. In Alsasua, Navarra, the Momotxorro emerges: a bloodstained echo of ancestral pagan rituals.
ICONS – Margaret Bourke-White: The Indestructible
Margaret Bourke-White was one of the most fearless, intrepid photographers that has ever lived. To call her anything else would be an understatement for a photographer whose work confronted some of the greatest injustices of the 20th century. Some put her capacity to be in these places at the right time down to a matter of chance. Was it?
In The Shadow We Bloom
‘In The Shadow We Bloom’ explores themes of isolation and anonymity within South Korea's urban landscapes. Capturing people, animals, and objects, the series juxtaposes curated social media personas with the impersonal nature of city life. Through this lens, photographer Aram Tanis examines the tension between self-representation and the reality of contemporary urban existence.
People Things
Guided by childhood memories, family stories and literature, Henry Schulz embarks on a journey to reconnect with the past. With his camera, he searches for places that mirror his recollections of Germany—forgotten spaces between city and countryside where history lingers. His photographs capture the cycle of memory and change, revealing a world where the past is never truly lost, only waiting to be rediscovered.
Raw. Rebellious. Real.
We met world-famous photographer and icon of the Berlin club scene, Sven Marquardt, in the German capital for an exclusive shoot and interview. He talked about creative challenges, his work process and why he would never give up film despite the possibilities of digital.
Shetland Pony Grand National
Joe Hart’s photography series immerses us in the world of the Shetland Pony Grand National, where young riders chase dreams with determination and grit. More than a competition, it’s a tradition built on passion, community, and ambition—showcasing the dedication of these athletes and the charitable spirit that drives the event forward.
Augmented Unreality
Augmented Unreality is a photographic project exploring beauty in the age of artificial intelligence. It questions how technology shapes our aesthetic ideals, often distorting beauty into a superficial and homogenous concept. By blending AI-generated images with real models, photographer Norberto Pezzotta challenges the perception of beauty, advocating for inclusivity, authenticity, and the preservation of human diversity in a digital era.
Amtszeichen
Benjamin Sauer’s project Amtszeichen (Official Signs) explores the world of German bureaucracy—its rigid structures, endless corridors and paper-filled offices. Through his images, he captures both the necessity and absurdity of administration, revealing the people behind the system and the clichés that define it: flickering lights, official stamps and labyrinthine rules.
James Nelson-Joyce – Bare Knuckle Talent
With his knack for bringing tough, intense characters to life, James Nelson-Joyce’s talent doesn’t go unnoticed in films like Bird and TV series such as Shameless and Time. In our exclusive interview he opens up about his latest project, A Thousand Blows, the challenges faced by working-class actors, and why being lucky isn’t enough.
Anemia
Photographer Valentina Luraghi explores the overlooked struggles of women battling this condition, often dismissed by medical professionals. Through intimate portraits, the series captures the exhaustion, anxiety, and resilience of those affected. Different women, united by their fragility and strength, reveal the silent weight of anemia and the fight to be heard.
In Between
What does it mean to be close to someone? In Between by Nora Obergeschwandner is a poignant exploration of intimacy, attachment and the invisible forces that shape our relationships. Through evocative analog portraits and raw personal narratives, this project unravels the delicate balance between longing and fear, inviting viewers to reflect on their own emotional landscapes and the spaces where connection truly unfolds.
River Where The Oak Trees Grow
Flowing through ancient woodlands and temperate rainforests, the River Dart is both a place of beauty and a fragile ecosystem under threat. Photographer Emma Stoner began documenting the river in 2022 as part of a commission. Since then, the project has evolved into a personal exploration of the Dart’s landscapes and communities, highlighting its natural beauty while raising awareness of the environmental challenges it faces.
ICONS – Elliott Landy: Music and Rebellion
Landy’s fundamentally political eye reflected the cultural landscape of the 1960’s better than most others. He understood that musicians like Jimi Hendrix’s anti-war sentiment were a line in the sand against the increasingly oppressive Vietnam war, and that he could proselytize their message to a massive audience with his photography. How did he reach this position of influence?
In case you missed it
Masumi Saito – Rooted in Motion
Through movement, film, and ritual, movement artist Masumi Saito explores themes of fragility, transformation, and identity. Rooted in the Japanese respect for nature and spirits, her work weaves personal experiences of motherhood, grief, and cultural heritage. We spoke to her to discover how she transforms life’s complexities into profoundly moving art.
Je Est Une Autre
Through self-portraiture, photographer Foteini Zaglåra explores identity, memory, and transformation, blurring the line between reality and fiction. Combining performance, symbolism, and narrative storytelling, her work examines beauty standards, grief, and mythology. She offers a deeply introspective reflection on the self in an era shaped by digital personas and societal expectations.
Dear Father
Dear Father redefines the father-son dynamic through role reversal, exploring acceptance and identity. In this intimate project, Danilo Zocatelli paints his father’s face, shifting their long-established roles. By revisiting childhood spaces and challenging perceptions, the work becomes both a personal reconciliation and a powerful statement on transformation, memory, and understanding.