Reflecting on May: A Final Spotlight on Tomislav Georgiev
As the month of May comes to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on the evocative imagery of our Artist of the Month, the Skopje-based photographer Tomislav Georgiev. Before we transition into a new month and a new creative perspective, we want to celebrate a milestone that truly defines Tomislav’s mastery of the lens.
The Power of “Water is Life”
A high point in Tomislav’s career was his victory in the international “Water is Life” Photo Competition, organized by the Dutch Foreign Ministry in 2022.
The competition, which focuses on the vital role of water in sustaining life and culture, recognized Tomislav’s unique ability to find the extraordinary within the ordinary. In his work, water is not just a resource; it is a mirror of the human condition, reflecting both our vulnerability and our resilience.
His winning entry depicting a man cleaning the water weeds and garbage from the bottom of the Crn Drim River in North Macedonia – a hauntingly beautiful depiction of the human connection to our most essential resource – was chosen from hundreds of global submissions. The judges noted his ability to capture the complex intersection of social, cultural, and environmental narratives in a single, un-staged moment.
“The winning image captures a visual phenomenon that shows harmony between humans and the environment.”
– Nathalie Olijslager, Programme director of the UN Water Conference
Check out this insightful feature on Tomislav’s award-winning work over on YouTube:
A Vision for the Inner Citadel
At Pluartis, we were drawn to Tomislav’s work for its profound alignment with our theme, The Architecture of the Soul. His photography doesn’t just show a landscape or a face; it documents the resilience of the human spirit. In his “Water is Life” win, we see the same “Inner Citadel” we will be discussing in Pula this August – a study in how humans find balance and dignity within the environments that sustain them.
What’s Next?
We thank Tomislav for an incredible month of visual storytelling. While his featured residency ends today, his influence on our collective aesthetic continues.
The reveal is almost here. Check back tomorrow morning as we announce our Artist of the Month for June 2026.