Interview by Diane Choi

What are your photographs about?

The main focus of my work is a visual investigation of the relationship between humans and their (physical) environment. Our identity is often determined by our social environment and (family) history. How we build our self-esteem often determines how we look to the outside world and how we react to others. Personally, I often feel like a spectator in a play; looking from the outside asking questions on the interactions I have. I explore these relationships, trying to bridge the personal and the universal language through photography. Purely intuitive, my images present an open and honest reflection of my personal emotions at a certain time, space and interaction. Shot as self-portraits, my images convey a distinct yet familiar emotional landscape. I want to invite the spectator to embark on a journey with their own intricate web of memories, emotions, expectations, fears and desires. Ultimately, my intention is to give meaning to life.

Why did you choose this medium for your idea?

I use various cameras, mostly analogue to capture the atmosphere of my inner emotions. Photographing with film gives me more intimacy with my images. There is no possibility to look on a screen directly after and judge if it is right or wrong. Just feeling the shot… until I love it! When I'm developing, scanning or printing, I feel like a child who's unpacking their birthday presents. Sometimes I don't like them at all, but there are always a few images that reflect the real memories of my emotions at that time. It's not about the aesthetically perfect image. For me it is about creating images that touch me, whether it’s good or bad. When people view my work, they experience a tangible emotion without having to read the storyline.

How did you find your subjects for the project?

I photograph wherever I am in the moment for my landscapes. With my beloved one, I joined artist residencies in Lithuania and Japan. For “Borders of Nothingness,” two lovely artists were willing to model for my series. We became more familiar with each other as we spent six weeks in a little village above Tokyo.

For my new project “Meraviglia,” we stayed in the mountains of Portugal for a month. I wanted to shoot nature, just as it is with four of my friends. I need to be familiar with my models because the stories I want to portray are from a place of intimacy.