Kolsky — book launch and solo show · AFF Galerie, Berlin · 10 September 2026, 18:00

Info

Tanya Sharapova is a Russian-born photographer and visual artist based in Berlin. Her work investigates the relationship between individuals and political structures, focusing on themes of belonging, displacement, collective memory, and life within contested or transitional spaces.

Tanya studied at the Moscow Technical University of Communications and Informatics before turning to photography. She worked for over a decade in publishing, including ten years in photo editing and later as Senior Photo Editor at Condé Nast Russia. After leaving Condé Nast, she spent three years working as a travel photographer and writer for publications such as National Geographic Russia and Condé Nast Traveler Russia.

In 2019, she relocated to Germany on an artist visa and is currently based in Berlin. From 2021 to 2024, she studied at the Ostkreuz School of Photography in Berlin, graduating from Irina Ruppert’s class with her project Kolsky, which received support from VG Bild-Kunst / Kulturwerk Foundation and Innovate Grants.

Her recent projects explore life in post-Soviet and European contexts, examining how historical rupture, political change, and collective memory shape everyday experience.

Working primarily through long-term documentary practice, Tanya combines documentary photography, collaborative practices, archival material, and personal research to develop layered visual narratives.

Tanya Sharapova
Photo: Mathilde Tijen Hansen

Awards and grants

2025Biennale della Fotografia Femminile, Winner
2025Passepartout Photo Prize 10th edition, Winner
2025Photometria International Photography Festival, Winner
2024Innovate Grant, Winner
2024Revela’T Festival, 1st prize Winner
2024Photography Foundation Awards, shortlisted
2024Emerging Photographer Award DGPh - Nominated
2024KOLGA Tbilisi Photo, Finalist
2024Athens Photo Festival, Finalist
2024Otto-Steinert Preis, DGPh Förderpreis für Fotografie - Finalist
2023VG Bild-Kunst / Kulturwerk Foundation Grant - Winner
2023Belfast Photo Festival - Shortlisted
2023Revela'T Festival - Finalist
2022Cortona On The Move | PhMuseum 2022 Photography Grant
2021OpenWalls Arles - Winner
2020Pandemic Healing grant, Berlin- Winner

Exhibitions

upcoming 2026"Kolsky" book presentation and solo exhibition, AFF gallery, Berlin, DE // opening 10.09.2026 18:00
2026"Keep Your Eyes Peeled", AFF gallery, Berlin, DE
2026Biennale della Fotografia Femminile, IT
2026Passepartout Photo Prize 10th edition, IT
2025Photometria International Photography Festival, Ioannina, GR
2025Fotoraum Köln, Cologne, DE (solo)
2025Revela’T Festival, Barcelona, ESP
2025Cadavre Exquis, European Month of Photography Berlin, Bethanien, DE
2025“Meet Me Halfway”, European Month of Photography Berlin, DE
2024"Deadly matters", Friedhöfe Friedenstraße, Berlin, DE
2024Kolga Tbilisi Photo, Tbilisi, GE
2024Jahrgang Achtzehn, Konnekt Berlin, DE
2023"East from Where", Studio Hanniball, Berlin, DE
2023"Entlang der Oder", Schloss Neuhardenberg, DE
2023"Entlang der Oder", Pader Kultour for Kulturamt Paderborn, DE
2023"Drängende Gegenwart", European Month of Photography Berlin, DE
2022"Entlang der Oder", Kurpark Bad Saarow, DE
2022"Strangers", Ori Galerie, Berlin, DE
2022"Ukraine Moments", House of Lucie Gallery, Budapest, HU
2021"Then & Now", OpenWalls Arles, Galerie Huit, FR

Education

2021–2024Ostkreuzschule für Fotografie, Berlin, DE
2022Noor–Nikon Advanced Storytelling Workshop, Düsseldorf, DE
2022International Summer Academy for Art und Design Pentiment, Hamburg, DE
2021Filmworkshop „Portrait of a Protagonist" by Elwira Niewiera and Piotr Rosołowski, Berlin, DE
2021Canon Student Program of Visa Pour L'Image (Online)
2019ASX+Void Laboratory with Mark Power in Athens, GR