This photo is part of my visual and philosophical exploration of ways people try and yearn to be weightless, free-floating, flying, or in other words gravity-free. The urge to escape the heaviness of life and the desire to be free and weightless and free from heavy thoughts (depression) is the underlying theme. But escape is almost impossible. Hence the age-old hope that magic can bring salvation. The enchanting, the supernatural, the strange, the impossible.
Photography and film give me an opportunity to fulfill my curiosity for the mysteries of everyday encounters. I am always interested in people’s vitality and fate, how we shape the world around us. On an emotional and narrative level, I am interested in looking at human bonds and at people’s being, both physical and mental: love relationships, family, friendship, childhood, aging, physical fragility, courage, desire and hope. It’s this universality that creates a bond, touches us as we recognize common existential questions and feelings.
Awards || 2015 Jury Award and Audience Award Best Documentary at Roze Filmdagen for 'Over the Rainbow || 2014 OZU DOC Award for 'Louis van het Reuzenrad' || 2014 Honorable mention MIFA Moscow Foto Awards || Nomination for SO2014 || 2014 second price/ Silver at Prix de la Photographie, Paris. Portraiture. For The ferris Wheel Kids. || 2012 One Minute Film Award, short movie. For Sarina. | 2008 Honorable mention, IPA | 2008 Bronze, Prix de la photography | 2008 P.A.N.L. Silver Award in the category 'Portraits" | 2007 P.A.N.L. Silver Award 'Documentary' | 2007 Honorable mention, Prix de la Photographie | 2003 P.A.N.L. nomination in the category ‘Editorial’ | Project grant plus a Basic stipend from Fonds BKVB, Amsterdam, Netherlands | 2002 P.A.N.L. Silver Award ‘Portrait series’ | 2002 NVJ, Best magazine cover all times for Carp | 1999 Funded Artist in residence program in Japan with photographer Nan Goldin, Atlantic center for the Arts, Florida, USA ||
