Aria Shahrokhshahi's Photo Book Wet Ground Explores Wartime Absurdity in Ukraine

British-Iranian artist Aria Shahrokhshahi has released a photo book titled Wet Ground, documenting his experiences in Ukraine from 2019 to the present. The project began with his initial visits to the country, attracted by its vibrant party and tattoo scenes, and continued after Russia's invasion in February 2022, during which he served as a humanitarian volunteer. Shahrokhshahi's work captures the duality of life during conflict, highlighting moments of absurdity, such as a youth military training camp near the front line where soldiers attended nightclubs. The book's title references a drone strike incident where wet ground prevented a missile explosion, though a colleague was severely injured. Shahrokhshahi distinguishes his approach from traditional war photography, focusing instead on themes of connection, love, and everyday beauty amid chaos. He chose black-and-white photography due to financial constraints, using a large-format camera and flash to evoke a clinical, newspaper-like aesthetic, inspired by Larry Sultan and Mike Mandel's 1977 book Evidence. Alongside the publication, he launched The Sketchbook Series, a magazine initiative that has raised approximately £40,000 for NGOs. Wet Ground is published by Loose Joints and reflects Shahrokhshahi's belief in artists' social responsibility to contribute positively through their work.