As an artist deeply engaged with the transformative power of photography, my practice orbits around the interrogation of public space and the collective memory. Educated in the realms of photography and public space, my work strives to democratize the art form, making it accessible and meaningful across diverse communities. Through a meticulous blend of technical skill and conceptual depth, I explore photography's capacity to document, question, and narrate the complexities of social and personal realities.
Flemish Interiors - Please, come in - Sint-Pietersabdij, Ghent
‘Flemish Interiors – Come Inside’ embarks on a visual preservation journey, capturing the essence of Flemish cultural heritage through the intimate portrayal of traditional interiors. Utilizing analog photography, this project delves into the rich tapestry of Flanders’ living spaces, showcasing their unique aesthetics and historical significance.
By rendering these spaces in life-size reproductions and situating them within the public realm, the project not only democratizes the viewing experience but also sparks a dialogue on collective memory and personal identity. It invites viewers to immerse themselves in a confluence of past and present, fostering a deeper appreciation for the nuances of Flemish culture and its enduring impact on contemporary society.
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Fundaments of my work
The three pillars of my work form the foundational core of my artistic exploration, each essential for unveiling the multifaceted dimensions of photography — from democratizing and socially engaging the art form, to crafting meaningful connections within public spaces, and materializing our visual and tactile experiences.
Photography
Democracy in photography is pivotal to my approach, aiming to broaden access and engagement with the medium. The social role of photography underpins my work, leveraging the camera as a tool for social critique and community engagement. This is manifested in projects centered on co-creation and active research, particularly within educational contexts to carve a space for photography through technology and visual language.
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Public: space and people
Space and people are central to my explorations, where photography acts as a bridge between individual experiences and collective memory. However, 'collective memory' may be too narrow to encapsulate my work fully. An alternative phrasing, such as 'exchanging perceptions,' offers a more accurate description, reflecting the dynamic interaction of shared and individual insights within public spaces.
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Embodiment
The tactile experience of photography, contrasting the pervasive digital, plays a critical role in my work. It's about engaging with the materiality of the medium and the embodied experience of both the artist and the viewer.
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Lights Out - Closed Eyes Festival, Tilburg
‘Exhibition: Lights Out’ pioneers an inclusive approach to the visual arts, specifically designed to engage the visually impaired community. This multidisciplinary exhibition reimagines the potential of photography to convey sensory and spatial experiences beyond the visual realm. Utilizing innovative techniques such as strategic lighting, tactile surfaces, and spatial adaptations, the exhibition creates an immersive environment that transcends visual limitations.
It exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to art, challenging the traditional boundaries of photography and highlighting the medium’s capacity to evoke emotion, memory, and connection in the absence of sight. This project underscores the transformative power of photography in creating inclusive spaces that welcome diverse modes of perception and experience.
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Highlighted projects
These showcased endeavors illuminate my journey in bridging spaces, voices, and sensory exploration, offering a snapshot into the dynamic ways photography can connect, challenge, and enchant.
Never Seen - Church of Maasmechelen
Situated in a church adjacent to a care home, this exhibition bridges the gap between community members and individuals living with dementia, fostering a unique dialogue and altering perceptions of familiar spaces through shared stories and experiences.
For a closer look at the unseen perspectives of 'Never Seen – Church of Maasmechelen', click here
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Streetwalk - M Museum, Leuven
This initiative captures public spaces through the unfiltered perspective of children, enriching the public sphere with fresh, unadulterated viewpoints, accompanied by visual narratives available on YouTube.
Dive into the candid world of 'Streetwalk' and discover the unfiltered vision of public spaces by clicking here.
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Never Seen – Museum Dr Ghuislain, Ghent
An exhibition that delves into the visual perception of individuals with dementia, offering installations that distort conventional visual experience, prompting viewers to navigate and interpret space and imagery through a lens of altered perception.
Uncover the altered realities presented in 'Never Seen – at Dr. Guislain Museum' by clicking here.
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Lights Out - Closed Eyes Festival, Tilburg
A multidisciplinary exhibition tailored for blind individuals, where photography is reimagined as a medium that can be experienced beyond visual perception, focusing on tactile and spatial elements to evoke the essence of sight.
Illuminate the tactile essence of 'Exhibition: Lights Out' through a click here to explore more.
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Flemish Interiors - Please, come in - Sint-Pietersabdij, Ghent
Featuring life-sized reproductions of Flemish interiors, this project extends beyond a personal quest to a broader exploration of communal heritage and memory, inviting commuters to engage with spaces laden with collective narratives.
Explore deeper into the warmth of 'Flemish Interiors – Please, come in” by clicking here.
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Never Seen – Church of Maasmechelen
‘Never Seen – Church of Maasmechelen’ is an innovative project that explores the intersection of community, memory, and visual perception through the collaborative lens of art and dementia. Situated in the context of a local church and its proximity to a care home, this exhibition weaves together the untold stories of individuals with dementia, using photography as a medium to illuminate their perspectives and experiences.
The project transcends traditional art exhibitions by integrating co-creation and participatory methods, fostering a sense of belonging and understanding within the community. It challenges conventional narratives about dementia, offering a platform for dialogue and reflection on the complexities of memory, identity, and belonging.
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Streetwalk - M Museum, Leuven
‘Streetwalk’ provides a vivid exploration of urban life from the perspective of its youngest inhabitants. Through the lens of children, this project captures the unfiltered essence of cityscapes, revealing the beauty and complexity of everyday moments often overlooked by adults. By integrating these photographic narratives into digital platforms, ‘Streetwalk’ amplifies the voices of children, highlighting their unique viewpoints and insights about the world around them.
This project reflects a commitment to using photography as a dynamic instrument for social engagement, encouraging viewers to reconceptualize their understanding of public spaces through the spontaneous and imaginative eyes of youth.
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Never Seen - Museum Dr Ghuislain, Ghent
‘Never Seen – at Dr. Guislain Museum’ ventures into the realm of altered perception, offering an insightful exploration of the visual experiences of individuals with dementia. Through a series of installations and photographic works, this exhibition challenges visitors to navigate and interpret space and imagery from a radically different perspective.
By artistically representing the fragmented and reshaped realities encountered by those with dementia, the project not only invites empathy and understanding but also positions photography as a powerful tool for articulating and engaging with complex cognitive experiences. It serves as a poignant reminder of the role of art in bridging gaps between differing perceptions of reality, fostering a communal space for introspection and connection.
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