For the Grace of God
Freedom is an inherent human right that drives the world. Every individual wants to be free, but individual interpretations of freedom determine different aspects of civilizational choice. The absurdities in the last decade of the world’s movement lead me to a paradoxical conclusion: ultimate personal freedom means taking away the freedom of others. By this logic, I decided to explore the “face of evil” from a reverse perspective-I, the physically free man, live in the prison of my own freedom. I directed my creative efforts towards places where freedom categorically lacks-prisons. Due to the specific nature of these institutions, it took me a long time to get access, but my waiting was rewarded with success. I received permission for a year-long project on the small island of Persin, in the Danube River, not far from the town of Belene. I was admitted to the life-sentenced prisoners. At first, I felt fear. My imagination conjured up scenes from movies-sinister faces and monstrous acts of people who had long lost their humanity. Imagination is a strange thing-it creates images that have nothing to do with reality. I met the convicts face to face. Somewhere in those meetings, my stereotypical perceptions of the ‘face of evil’ were shattered. Among the thousands of stories I heard, I realized that these are people just like me. Life often puts us in situations where we are a step away from the unacceptable. Unfortunately, they have crossed that line.I spoke with people who have heavy histories and fates, seemingly predetermined by a fatal outcome. In this project, I lend my eyes, and through the photographs of the convicts, I express my position as an artist who rejects prejudices. Society can be relentless, rarely managing to ‘walk in the shoes of others,’ to place themselves in the situation of those who have sinned. I tried to put myself in their place, without being naïvely idealistic. I know that pure evil exists. But I also believe in repentance and forgiveness. It is precisely these that make us human beings.
The project lasted one calendar year. Every time I entered the prison, I listened to the stories of the prisoners and realized the simplest thing – these people are like me. In this world, things are not simple and everything, even the most terrible, has its explanation, everything happened for a reason, everything has a beginning. From the hundreds of hours I spent with the prisoners, I realized that any one of us could be in their place.
Vladimir Karamazov is a photographer from Sofia, Bulgaria. He has 25 years career of professional actor and has performed in theater, cinema and television. Vladimir has always loved photography, but in 2019 it becomes his main occupation. Photography helps him understand humanity in its complexity and scale, and reveals the true nature of it. Over the past few years, he has won a number of photography competitions. In August 2026, the project For the Grace of God will be published in book form by GOST Publishing House.
