Vaiva Bezhan (Vaivu)
artist/ photographer
Vaivu is an acclaimed photographer born in Lithuanian, based in Prague, Czechia. Working in a creative field since 2010. Vaivu's photography has been nominated as best documentary series in Lens Culture. She has been a winer of several photography contest in Europe. Vaivu has a very particular photographic style, she describes herself as someone who combines poetic photography and documentary. Vivid colors and cinematic feel is often seen in her work. As much as Vaivu enjoys reporting from rural and often forgotten places she loves photographing creative events and creating visual stories of people.
In 2016 photographer was diagnosed with a very rare autoimmune disorder MG (Myasthenia Gravis). That's one of the reason photographer has chosen to work with light weight equipments and natural light. Since 2023 Vaivu has became Leica photographer.
Education
J.E. Purkyne University (UJEP), CZ
Unfinished PhD in Art Communication
2017—2020
J.E. Purkyne University (UJEP), CZ
MA in Photography (Hons)
2011—2013
Justino Vienozinskio Faculty of Arts
BA in Graphic Design
2007—2010
Anadolu University, Turkey
Erasmus program in Graphic design
2009—2010
Experience
Vaiva Bezhan Photography
2012—present
One World Film Festival (Jeden Svet), Prague, CZ
Photographer
2017—present
Iranian Film Festival, Prague, CZ
Graphic Designer, photographer
2012—present
Prague Film School, Prague, CZ
Graphic designer, photographer, SMM
2011—2016
OllySTUDIO, London, UK
Graphic Designer, Photographer
2014—2015
Have been reporting from:
- Afghanistan
- Kosovo
- Turkey
- Russia
- Britain
Personal achievements
- 2023 — pictures from photo series “Color of Afghanistan” exhibited at Berkeley, CA, USA
- 2018 — solo exhibition “To je Litva” at Lucerna, Prague, CZ.
- 2018 — solo exhibition “Hope From the Ashes: Tales from Afghanistan”, Kaunas.
- 2017 — solo exhibition “Colors of Afghanistan” at Langhans gallery, Prague.
- 2016 — photo series from Afghanistan shortlisted by LensCulture Photography award.
- 2014 — winner of Lithuanian Photo Competition Debiutas’14.
- 2014 — images from photo series “Out of Your Skin” included in the Lithuanian Photography book.
- 2014 — “I-N-T-I-M-A-C-Y” book was short-listed for International Art Book Award.
- 2014 — curator of Donatas Stankevicius and MadeCorrection exhibition in collaboration with Not Shut Up (Matthew Meadows and Marek Kazmerski) at Garden Court Chambers, London, UK.
- 2014 — solo exhibition "42minutes doing nothing important at all", London, UK.
- 2014 — solo exhibition "Out of Your Skin" , London, UK.
- 2013 — group exhibition "Neighbours at SUPERMARKET WC, Karlovy Vary, CZ
- 2013 — first personal photo book “I-N-T-I-M-A-C-Y”, Prague.
- 2012 — photo series “Lost in Time” exhibited at Prague National Gallery.
- 2012 — works selected for “Transgender Me” exhibition at DOX gallery, Prague.
• • •
Clients
- Alexander Mc Queen
- Alo Artist
- Bohemian Productions
- Chris Wilson (writer and painter)
- Česka Prace
- Diego Fandos film director
- Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in London
- Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Prague
- Forum2000
- Kaveh Daneshmand film director
- Kino Svetozor
- Nick Walker
- NotShutUp magazine
- Pozzoni Architects
- Prague Fashion Weekend'13
- Prague Quadrennial
- Prague Film School
- Prague Film & Theatre Centre
- Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty Regio Partner
- Seversky Filmovy Klub
- Saatchi Saatchi Gallery
- The LAB - a Media Production Company