Longing for Lamu:
Lamu feels like her home in Africa for Dutch photographer Annelies Damen. The moment she put her feet on the Kenyan Archipelago 20 years ago, the poetic feel of the place triggered her creativity. Lamu has maintained much of the unspoiled Swahili culture for centuries, which inspires dreams of the past.
The slow pace of living, the surrounding Indian ocean, the Swahili architecture but above all the magical and poetic light shining on the intriguing women she meets in daily life, are the inspiration for this new series 'Longing for Lamu'.
In 2006 Damen graduated at the Academy of Photography in Amsterdam. From her studio based in Amsterdam the world is the working field for her autonomous photo projects. Using this medium, Damen has sensitively captured strong female imagery from a myriad of cultures, which connects both to complement their surrounding landscape, creating a sort of sublime interaction in her work. As an artist she demonstrates the symphony between the female form in natural or architectonic settings creating a painterly meeting of shadows, shapes and lines that are steeped in poetic beauty.
Awards Grand Prize Winner at See.Me 2020.
Two times Honourable mention + One time nominee in Fine art category at Black & White Spider Awards 2019
Two times Honourable mention at Black & White Spider Awards 2018
Two time Honourable mention at IPA Photography Awards 2017
SeeMe x Scope Final in Miami show finalist 2015
