TITLE: Beyond the Material World

These photographs tell a story about faith that is still part of everyday life. In many parts of Kenya, rituals and spiritual practices are not seen as something separate from reality. For many people, they are simply another way of dealing with illness, fear, or uncertainty.

When I started photographing these ceremonies, I expected something distant and difficult to understand. What surprised me most was how normal many of these moments felt. People talked quietly before the rituals, children walked around nearby, smoke from the fire filled the air, and nobody seemed to pay much attention to my camera.

Sometimes I felt uncomfortable photographing such personal moments, especially during healing rituals. More than once I lowered the camera and just watched what was happening. The shamans were not treated like mysterious figures. They were people the community trusted.

I know this project shows only a very small part of Kenyan shamanism. It is simply a record of moments I was allowed to witness and photograph.

AUTHOR: Artur Gutowski (Poland)

I am a photographer from a small town called Elk in north-east Poland. I craft visually expressive and emotionally immersive narratives.

I hold a Master degree in photography and cinematography from Polish National Film School.

After visiting many countries in four continents, visiting the most interesting places, I have been sharing my experience with those who also have a desire to explore the world and to share stories about forgotten people and places.

Those adventures also brought many challenges into my life and had a strong impact on my health and how I see life at the moment - this is the price sometimes we have to pay for our dreams and goals. They broke me and built me stronger again.

My life is like this photo, full of people, diversities, different emotions but always reaching my destination.