To Russia with love

The almost mystical reverence Russians have for their rodina (or Motherland) might be called delusional by some, but not by the British photographer Simon Roberts. The nation's belief in their country as a hallowed land is an attitude Roberts now shares and desperately wants to communicate through his work. As he explains, 'Russians see beauty where an outsider might only see decaying apartment blocks or featureless landscapes'. And there's no shortage of those here. A crumbling, water-logged market and children dolled-up like mini-adults: beautiful or bleak? You decide.
Holly Kyte
Motherland is showing at Photofusion Gallery until 25th May 2007.