about

Alixandra Fazzina’s photography focuses on under-reported conflicts and the often forgotten humanitarian consequences of war. Fazzina has an uncanny ability to work in the most difficult social and geographical environments and is recognised for her compassionate and empathetic approach towards the human condition, always fully aware of the bigger picture. Her photographs cut to the core but are never imposing with a luminous chiaroscuro aesthetic that is distinctly quiet, yet descriptive.

Studying Fine Art, she began her career as a war artist in Bosnia. Since then, she has worked independently as a photojournalist throughout Eastern Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Her reportages have been widely published in the British and international press including The Sunday Times, The Guardian and Observer, The Telegraph and The Independent as well as TIME, Newsweek, The New York Times and Stern. She works regularly with UN agencies and NGOs to document their work and produce advocacy campaigns.

Fazzina worked over a period of two years to chronicle the exodus of migrants and refugees from Somalia to the Arabian Peninsula. The resulting book “A Million Shillings” Escape from Somalia” was published by Trolley in 2010.

For her work in Somalia, she was a finalist in the CARE Award for Humanitarian Reportage and the W. Eugene Smith Grant in Humanistic Photography. In 2008, she was the recipient of the Vic Odden Award from the Royal Photographic Society.

In 2010 recognized as the winner of the highly prestigious UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award for her striking coverage of the devastating human consequences of war.

She is currently working on her new project, “The Flowers of Afghanistan”: stories of Afghan children seeking refuge in Europe. A photographic investigation into the causes and effects of an increasing number of Afghan minors making the hazardous overland journey to apply for asylum in EU member states. Click here to access the project page.

Alixandra is based in Pakistan.

books

A Million Shillings - Escape from Somalia (2010). By Alixandra Fazzina. Published by Trolley Ltd. (click here)

grants and awards

2010

Alixandra Fazzina won the Nansen Refugee Award from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, because of her fearless and tireless dedication for humanitarian photography throughout her career.

2008

For her work on “A Million Shillings - Escape From Somalia”, Alixandra Fazzina was a finalist in the CARE Award for Humanitarian Reportage and the W. Eugene Smith Grant in Humanistic Photography in 2008.

In 2008, Alixandra was the recipient of the Vic Odden Award from The Royal Photographic Society.