BEAUMONT, Texas — Through his lens, Patrick Patterson has been capturing stories of resilience and loss in Ukraine as the war with Russia rages on.
Now Patterson is being featured on KVLU Radio's podcast "Bayoulands" where he wants to amplify the voices of those affected and spark meaningful dialogue.
Patterson began his career as a documentary photographer covering social issues in Southeast Texas.
Now, his photographs documenting the horrors of war are on display at the Dishman Art Museum at Lamar University.
"I don't think you fully process it...it changes you," Patterson said.
Patterson does his best to describe the war in Ukraine from his perspective by taking photos in the heart of the conflict.
"This is the first time I've traveled to a warzone," said Patterson.
He feels his skills as a photographer can help promote change amidst the chaos.
"This is what creates change in our world using my tool, my craft, to help amplify voices that need to be amplified," Patterson said.
The voices of Ukrainian lives that have been taken and the lives of those who continue to fight every day to survive.
"This is Misha Down here on the wall. He was an electrician by trade. A delayed detonation bomb fell on his apartment, killing all 54 people in the basement and all seven members of his family. So he was the only survivor," Patterson told 12News.
Misha's story is one of many that Patterson believes should be documented.
Uliana Trylowsky, a guest on Thursday's "Bayoulands Podcast", knows the importance of brining these horror stories to light.
"My parents are from Ukraine. They were immigrants to Canada. I have friends and relatives still there. So we're talking about what are they thinking? What are they feeling?" Trylowsky said.
Trylowsky says it's not impossible for what's happening in Ukraine, to happen anywhere.
"Peace is fragile and and living in a wonderful country, we can get complacent. It can be lost," said Trylowsky.
"I love hearing it from a first person perspective from someone who's witnessed everything," said Lamar student Maddie Sims.
As an aspiring journalist, Sims takes every chance she can to learn more about the conflict.
"His photos are amazing and I like listening to podcasts. It's good stuff!" Sims said.
Both exhibits featuring the war in Ukraine will be on display at the Dishman Art Museum through November 2, 2024.