City of Heroes delves into the untold narratives of the United Arab Emirates, where up to 90% of the population consists of foreign laborers. These individuals form the backbone of a nation built on rapid development and opulence, yet they remain largely invisible within the grandeur they help create. Shot in the summer of 2016, this project captures the juxtaposition of lives—ordinary yet extraordinary—through portraits of individuals from various walks of life who embody resilience and adaptability in a land that is not their own.

Through paired images, the series contrasts personal and professional spaces, highlighting the duality of identity and belonging. These photographs reveal a nuanced reality, where the subjects’ warmth and individuality shine amidst the starkness of their transient roles. As an artist and a foreign worker myself during this period, the project reflects my personal engagement with this experience, offering a lens to see beyond the surface of labor and migration.

The photobook of City of Heroes is housed in the library of "Fotodepartament" in Saint Petersburg.