Devil's rib

"Devil’s Rib" depicts the radical and inspiring decision to live in nature, a choice made by some individuals—modern hermits who voluntarily escape the frenetic pace of urban life to inhabit a wild environment. Mateusz Kowalik documents, in his native Poland, a world where nothing is taken for granted. Seemingly idyllic, the images of imperfect landscapes and the people portrayed manage to convey equal parts strength and vulnerability, tension and tranquility, accompanied by brief texts that offer further insight into this alternative way of life. The resilience of these lives in a natural world resonates with the values ​​that the Star Photobook Dummy Award seeks to celebrate.