Donbass Chocolate 1997

"Donbass Chocolate" is a 1997 photograph by Arsen Savadov depicting a group of coal miners, their bodies coated in black coal dust, in a shower room. The contrast between the miners' grimy bodies and the white tutu worn by one of the men underscores the stark realities of labor and masculinity in the Donbas region of Ukraine. The photo's title, a play on words referencing the region's famous chocolate, adds a layer of dark humor to the scene. Savadov's work, often exploring themes of labor, identity, and the human condition, highlights the struggles and resilience of those working in the mines.