Eddy van Wessel: Ukraine
Renowned Dutch photojournalist Eddy van Wessel offers an unflinching visual chronicle of three years of war, captured on film and shaped by firsthand accounts. With extensive experience in conflict zones, Van Wessel focuses on the profound impact of war on individuals: frontline soldiers, civilians seeking refuge in ravaged cities, and those compelled to flee their homes. His photographs reveal not only the physical devastation but also the psychological and emotional toll of prolonged violence. Titled Ukraine, this complex visual and narrative testimony delves into themes of displacement, survival, and the essence of humanity during times of crisis. It poses critical questions: Where does humanity end and inhumanity begin? How do people preserve dignity and resilience under constant threat? What does survival look like when basic needs—and life itself—are no longer assured?
In 2024, filmmaker Joost van der Valk released the documentary Eddy’s War, chronicling Van Wessel’s experiences in Ukraine. The film is available on various online platforms.
About the Author
Eddy van Wessel (b. 1965) is a Dutch documentary photographer based in the Netherlands and Sweden. His work captures life on the edge, exploring the human condition in conflict zones. Van Wessel’s photography is characterized by perseverance, a deep interest in humanity, and a curiosity about the effects of war on individuals. His images serve as a graphic protest against the futility of war and highlight the human aspiration to transcend suffering.
Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Van Wessel has independently financed his projects, documenting the ongoing conflict. His work has been exhibited at the National Military Museum in the Netherlands, the Pivka War Museum in Slovenia, and the Leica Gallery Amsterdam. He has collaborated with international publications such as Stern, Paris Match, Le Monde, Trouw, Der Spiegel, and The Washington Post Magazine.
Eddy van Wessel is a highly acclaimed photographer with numerous awards. He has won the Zilveren Camera overall prize multiple times (2013, 2015, 2019, and 2022), Årets Bild and Årets Fotograf in 2022, second prize in the 2020 Pictures of the Year International, Sony World Photography Awards in 2020, Foreign News Prize in 2017, and Photographer of the Year in 2001 and 2004.
