Hrair Sarkissian is shortlisted for the exhibition The Other Side of Silence at Bonnefanten Museum, Maastricht, The Netherlands (29 November 2022 – 14 May 2023).

Hrair Sarkissian’s (b. 1973, Syria) conceptual photography focuses on deeply personal narratives that reflect the complexity of larger historical and social issues. In The Other Side of Silence, ostensibly serene, meditative landscapes and calm urban environments become stages for accounts of trauma and the expression of underlying socio-political realities. Drawing from personal memories, interactions and extensive research, Sarkissian aims to evoke emotional experiences, foster awareness and a sense of solidarity. His work considers what official history conceals and creates space for excluded voices to be heard.