Rafał Milach is a visual artist, activist, photographer and educator. His work focuses on the tension between society and power structures. He is the author of photographic publications critically examining the control systems and strategies of protest. A key focal point of his current artistic practice is the clash between non-heroic gestures and ostensibly neutral spaces, which are set against a political background of current events. The oppressive nature of the areas Milach investigates is reflected in architecture, objects and suitably formatted social structures. Milach is a co-founder of The Archive of Public Protests and Sputnik Photos collectives. He is also an associate member of the Magnum Photos Agency.

IVLP Impact Award Project: UATLAS

In the context of the immense migration and humanitarian crisis caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine together with Ukrainian photographers and writers, Rafał collected the testimonials of refugees fleeing Ukraine into Poland. Rafał believes that the unfolding war crimes happening in his neighboring country need immediate documentation for the future of the region.

Rafał printed 2,000 copies of ‘UATLAS’, his photojournalism newspaper about Ukrainian refugees and Internally Displaced People (IDPs), as part of his project in both Poland and Ukraine. Several hundred copies were given to 2 major photography shows and 2 art galleries for distribution. ‘UATLAS’ attracted the attention of national and international institutions and publications such as Muse Elysee (Switzerland), Magnum Foundation (US), and Gazeta Wyborcza (Poland).

"I am glad I took part in this project and had the opportunity to share stories and to let people speak and be heard. That is certainly a kind of support. From the beginning of the war, for me, it was also necessary to be involved in this context of war migration and speak about it, so, a big, big thanks, we did it." - Project Participant

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Rafał was a participant in the IVLP Project A Global Moment in Time: Photojournalists Document Challenges and Opportunities in the COVID Era in 2021, organized by the U.S. Department of State and World Learning.

U.S. Communities Visited Virtually

Washington, DC; Tampa, FL; Minneapolis, MN; Santa Fe, NM; Portland, OR; Dallas, TX; Charlottesville, VA; Milwaukee, WI

Country: Poland

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