1937

The project “1937” represents a personal and profound exploration of historical memory and collective trauma through the lens of the family history of artist Lolita Chaprak. At the heart of the project are the Stalinist repressions and their impact on subsequent generations.

The project is based on a significant event in the artist’s life: in the summer of 2021, at the age of 24, she encountered her family’s archival documents for the first time, which related to political repression in the Soviet Union. These documents revealed the fate of her great-grandmother, who was arrested and executed in 1937 on false charges of espionage. The discovery of these facts marked a turning point in her understanding of family history and provided new impetus for her creative work.

The project is a photodocumentary investigation, where archival documents and photographs are intertwined with artistic interpretation. It is not just a representation of facts, but emotionally charged images conveying the pain and loss experienced by her ancestors. In her works, Lolita seeks to convey not only a personal story but also to reveal the broader context of historical injustice and its impact on individual destinies.

A distinctive feature of the project is the manipulation of archival materials—documents that were part of her great-grandmother’s court case. Through the reconstruction of these documents, the artist creates multilayered visual images, where the facts of the past merge with her personal reflections on trauma and heritage. The project also includes contemporary photographs that emphasize the contrast between the past and present, highlighting the inseparable connection between these eras.

One of the key themes of the project is the confrontation with elements of destruction and restoration, both in historical and personal terms. The artist shows how the historical trauma left by the repressions continues to affect personal and collective consciousness. By deconstructing and reworking archival materials, she emphasizes the fragility and vulnerability of human life, as well as the lasting impact of these events on subsequent generations.

The project demonstrates how the past, preserved in archives, continues to live in the present through memory and artistic interpretation. Lolita aims to show that, despite the decades that have passed, the tragedy of Stalinist repressions continues to influence contemporary society. This project is not only an attempt to reconstruct family history but also a broader exploration of collective memory and how historical events shape our understanding of the present.

The project “1937” draws attention to the need for reflection on historical justice and the preservation of memory for the victims of repression. It is important not only to remember what happened but also to recognize how the past continues to shape our identity and collective consciousness.

Lolita creates a dialogue between the past and present, between documents and emotions, between personal history and collective experience. She explores how family traumas shape modern views on life and provoke reflection on the value of human freedom and justice.