About me
My work explores the intersections of love, identity, and food through documentary photography. I am fascinated by the textures, forms, and rituals surrounding everyday objects, particularly food, which I see as a powerful symbol of tradition and memory.
In my series, I strive to capture subjects in a timeless space, where context dissolves and the focus remains on the essence of the object or individual. I am inspired by typologies, as seen in my work with portraits of Estonian Academy of Arts members. This approach helps me find unity within diversity, as I explore whether shared characteristics can transcend individuality.
My project, Young Love, reflects on the transient nature of time and the yearning for connection. Through a set of postcards, I invite viewers to engage with questions about love, using these prompts as a way to connect with others or to reflect inwardly. Ultimately, my art is an exploration of the human experience, inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and perhaps see a part of themselves in the work.
Alina Birjuk:
Born in Pärnu, Estonia 1996
Based in Zürich, Switzerland
Contact: alinabirjuk@gmail.com
Location: Zürich, Paris, Milano, Tallinn
Instagram: @alinabirjuk
Education, courses and work
2015 - 2018 Estonian Entrepreneurship University of Applied Sciences,
Business management and Marketing BA
2018 - 2020 Vurr Digital Agency, Creative Union
2022 - 2024 ZHdK: Zürcher Hochschule der Künste, Design: Trends & Identity BA
2021 - 2025 EKA: Estonian Academy of Arts, Photography BA
2022 - Canon TOP 30 aspiring documentary photographer / Canon student development program (Link)
2025 Coursera course: Sustainable Food Systems
Publications
2020 Poetry book "Vahete Vahel" Jete Eevald, Alina Birjuk
2021 August "Värske Rõhk" cover
2021 Manna “I can do anything IF I WANT TO” Album cover
2022 Online exhibition, documentary project "Young Love"
ENG: Aint-Bad Contemporary Art Magazine, Estonian World
DE: https://www.rtl.de/videos/uno-und-linda-haben-endlich-zueinander-gefunden-62769cf6e3eb9bdb2708d342.html
RUS: ERR Kofe+
FIN: Baltic guide, ERR
EST: Ringvaade, Photopoint, Edasi.org, Anne Stiil, Elu24.ee, Delta raadiosaade, Naisteleht, EKA uudised, ERR
2022 "One another" BFO21 EKA photography group exhibition "Jätku leiba!"
2022 "EKA koondportree" BFO21 EKA Art project, Digital print 5m x 10m on flag material
2022 Carmencita lab - best of July 2022
2022 “Committing nowadays” short-documentary, ZHdK
2022 Carmencita lab - selected into best photos of 2022
2023 Mannheim Arts and film festival “Honorable mention” Award “Committing nowadays” documentary film
2023 “Young love” series / The touch. Small photo, big story / Juhan Kuusi Photodocumentary center
2023 “Young love” Exhibition 01.11.2023 - 01.12.2023
Pärnu Keskraamatukogu
2024 Carmencita Lab 27.01 - 27.02 collective exhibition Valencia, Spain
2024 NZZ am Sonntag Cover - Swiss dish
2024 “Fragile. handle with care” Group Exhibition. EKA. Paper collage 3m x 1,5m Title: Autoportrait
Clients
Oracle
Mercedes-Benz
Soil to Soul
Hiltl
Gastro Zürich
Rivella
Roast and Host
Bolt
Visit Estonia EAS
European Society of Cardiology
Raysearchlabs.com
LHV Bank
Swedbank
Luminor Bank
Wolt
Converse
Nike
Fazer
Paulig
Telia
Rimi
Rkiosk
Stockmann
Eagle Vision
Piletilevi
Parcelsea
GLIA
Restaurants and food
Rudolf
Tõnis Saar Gastronomy
Hiltl
Gastro Zürich
Rivella
Kulturlokal Rank
Rechberg 1837
Slow Food
Soil to Soul
ANOAH
White Rabbit Bakery
Das Pure
NZZ Sonntag
Kaks Kokka and Ö
Olde Hansa
Paulig
Fazer
Wolt
Bolt food
Silverspoon
Loodusvägi
Magazines
NZZ - Zürich
Life in Estonia
Demorgen.be
Värske Rõhk
Müürileht
Estonian World
Agency
Weareamplify.com
Verveagency.com
Navada
Mona und Mateo
kontuur leo burnett
Creative Union
Identity
Optimist
AGE
NOT perfect
Kiop agency
PR strategies