A 2018 series release, showcasing former soviet architecture in the nation of Georgia and the war-torn region of Abhkazia, a disputed territory on the black sea sandwiched between Georgia and Russia.
Abhkazia, with a population of only around 340,000 is a land that although might not appeal to some – for me it sounded like a paradise, away from the usual tourist hustle and bustle and promising not only stunning raw landscapes but also thousands of decaying and abandoned buildings with lots of history attached.
However, we start off by looking at Tskaltubo – a former spa town that became defunct after the fall of the Soviet Union. However during the conflict the area became home to displaced person or war refugees – some thirty years on, many still reside in these derelict shells.Â
– Limited Editions of 25 on plexiglass and 15 on fine art paper. A selection of my top selling works are now available in my print store.
Sanatorim Iveria is one of the empty buildings situated in the centre of Tskaltubo. The building contains a stunning three level staircase.
A stripped floor inside the same Sanatorium, fails to hide the beauty and pastel colours in the ceiling.
A building very much now the home to IDP’s (Internally displaced person’s), being respectful here was paramount - I also had to ensure that I cleaned up the courtyard prior to taking my one photograph and also seek permission out of respect.
This amazing building is 50% in use as well. It is distinctive as it has a yellow and blue dome with columns and a stunning trio of fantastic staircases, one of which is is heavy decay. In recent months graffiti has started to appear here, which is a real shame - especially as it is still resided in.
We thought we had missed the chance to see this former Sanatorium, turned out we were in time - just.
The grand hall looks a little worse for wear now - we just missed out on seeing the grand piano that once took centre stage in this room.
These arches are one of the towns highlights - they play host to wedding shoots each and every summer. However, this former spa sanatorium is still occupied.
A corridor that connects two parts of a hotel. The derelict and recently renovated parts of a huge spa resort.
The central train station was once a two tier building with details and beautiful architecture - some of that beauty still remains.
Another shot, of that beautiful staircase from the first piece. This time we look at an impression across.
Shooting across another staircase, this is the ruins of a zig zag shaped staircase inside the swimmingpool of yet another ruined spa.
Moving into Abkhazia now - A brightly coloured former Soviet theatre lights up what was a miserable day outside, Abkhazia 2018.
Also in the De-Facto territory - A former Soviet Sanatorium come hotel that has been derelict since the war with Abkhazia in the 1990s.
A derelict school that over-looks a former tea plantation wraps up the series and the works from Abkhazia as well.
This grand building was actually in one of the most disgusting states that I have ever seen, it is essentially now a drug den.
A lot of work was required to clean this up from the very recent graffiti in Photoshop - but I felt it was worth the effort to clean up this Sanatorium.
A Baby Grand Piano sits on the stage of a former hospital entertainment hall - deep inside the territory.
The wing of a beautiful former train station in Abkhazia. The architecture we came for - despite the weather.
An abandoned sanatorium come hotel with so many nice staircase shots - this is one from the West wing.
The entrance to a park in the capital of the breakaway territory.
A derelict train station waiting room sits on a river at dusk - Abkhazia.
This is was my first series looking at the subject of derelict architecture. Initially shooting in the United Kingdom, before moving into Europe.
My second abandoned architecture series, shot in locations much further spread across Europe, from Poland and France to Italy and of course the UK.
A movement away from attending church has been ongoing for several decades now. This is this the focus in my 2017 series.
In this series, I take you to some of our planet's best ghost towns, villages, and cities - the making of this series and the work is also shown via a behind-the-scenes video on my youtube channel.
Lebanon and Beirut’s architecture in particular, was heavily influenced by Paris and there are still amazing examples of this.
There is something about the Lebanese Mansion. They are impossible to miss as the first thing which draws you in is the romantic exterior (2021)...