May People Live Like Flowers Grow, a project about Ukrainians in Norway.  It is about the resilience of people who, despite loss and uncertainty, continue moving forward. It is about people who live with both grief and hope. At its heart, the project is shaped by many voices telling a shared story. I first encountered the phrase “for people to live like flowers bloom” in the materials for a 2023 exhibition of Ukrainian artist Maria Prymachenko’s work in Kyiv. It comes from her 1966 Shevchenko Prize acceptance speech: “Do good for people, so people live like flowers bloom — that is the whole of my message to the world.” The words stayed with me and later inspired the title of the project. More importantly, they embody my deepest hope for all Ukrainians in these dark times. 

The Cleaners are typically behind the scenes, away from public view. They usually work during off-hours, and even when working in populated areas, they frequently feel invisible.

On the way is about bus drivers who play a vital role in our hectic journeys between destinations. Unlike tram or metro, bus drivers offer a tangible human connection for passengers. In Norway, where automation is prevalent, these interactions, like buying a ticket onboard or asking for directions, become small yet valuable luxuries that deserve appreciation.