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Julia Buruleva's Art Expedition: Surreal Travel Photography

artist · 2026-09-06

Julia Buruleva, a photographer originally from Russia and now based in Barcelona, elaborates on her Art Expedition project, which has taken her to various countries including India, Bolivia, Guatemala, and Morocco. Her work fuses photography, performance, and installation without any digital manipulation, utilizing real individuals, props, body painting, and carefully selected locations. In Jaipur, she was inspired by the pink city to create a series featuring a pink elephant. After spending six weeks in Varanasi, she developed a Ganges installation showcasing a burning figure draped in white fabric, representing themes of life, death, and liberation. At 47, Buruleva embraces a life dedicated to exploration and photography, collaborating closely with locals to shape her visuals. This interview was conducted by My Modern Met, which allowed the use of her images.

Key facts

  • Julia Buruleva is a Russian-born, Barcelona-based photographer.
  • Her Art Expedition project involves traveling to countries like India, Bolivia, Guatemala, and Morocco.
  • Her photographs are created in real environments without digital fabrication.
  • In Jaipur, the pervasive pink color inspired a series, including a pink elephant image.
  • In Varanasi, she created an installation on the Ganges with a burning figure wrapped in white fabric.
  • She emphasizes collaboration with local people, often building networks from scratch.
  • Buruleva argues that physical experience is essential for forming specific visual ideas, contrasting with AI-generated imagery.
  • At 47, she has decided to live without a home base and pursue perpetual exploration.
  • The interview was conducted by My Modern Met.
  • Her work spans fine art and commercial image-making.

Entities

Artists

  • Julia Buruleva

Institutions

  • My Modern Met

Locations

  • Russia
  • Barcelona
  • Spain
  • Jaipur
  • India
  • Varanasi
  • Bolivia
  • Guatemala
  • Morocco
  • Chefchaouen
  • Istanbul
  • Turkey
  • Uyuni
  • Volcán de Fuego
  • Rajasthan

Sources