Patrick Bienert is a German photographer known for his long-term projects in portrait, landscape and documentary photography. His work explores themes of culture and identity, focusing on the relationship between history, land and the people who inhabit it. Bienert’s projects are often rooted in regions undergoing social or political transformation, examining how historical traces shape contemporary identities.

Cross-Gender explores the intersection of tradition and modernity in Kosovo and Albania by documenting the lives of Burrenshas – women who, following the Kanun, adopt male roles and social status. Alongside this, Bienert’s project highlights the challenges faces by the local LGBTQ community, which continues to experience discrimination. Through his photography, Bienert aims to capture these fading tradition and hidden struggles, fostering greater understanding and acceptance.