Photographer Martin Parr, 73, visited 24-year-old Moscow-born artist Maya Golyshkina at her London home for a collaborative shoot and interview published by Cultured. The two, who both began photography before age 16, discussed playfulness in their work, non-traditional materials like cardboard and household objects, and the role of social media in their careers. Golyshkina showed Parr her wearable cardboard creations, and the conversation ranged from Parr’s decades-long career documenting human banality to Golyshkina’s viral crying videos and her rise from posting self-portraits on Instagram to collaborating with luxury fashion houses.
The article matters because it bridges two generations of image-makers—one a legendary figure in contemporary photography, the other a Gen Z artist leveraging social media to bypass traditional gatekeepers. Their dialogue highlights how digital platforms have democratized art careers, especially for artists from regions with limited art infrastructure, while also underscoring the enduring value of intuition and spontaneity across eras. The piece offers insight into the evolving dynamics of artistic practice, mentorship, and the global reach of visual culture.