My Own Private Wonderland

• Prize
  Silver in Advertising/Fashion
• Photographer
  Matei Focseneanu, Switzerland
• Website
  https://www.matfocs.com
• Instagram
  mat.focs

Away from the world, hidden from prying eyes, stretches an enchanting clearing, bordered by a river. It is here, nestled under a cloak of lush greenery, amidst a tangle of caravans, that a strange people dwell. This place, beyond time, norms and conventions, has been my refuge for… sixteen years? That’s Leni's age. Born and raised in this sanctuary, she embodies the magic of this wondrous and unique place. This photographic series offers a peephole, a glimpse through the reeds, a tear in the shōji.

I have always been fascinated by the garment, not only for its obvious aesthetic qualities, but also, and mainly, because of its remarkable implicit communicative capacities. Using photography as a medium, my ambition is to stage both humans and clothing in order to produce an oneiric visual language.

Awards 2019/11 : LensCulture 2019 Emerging Talent Awards
Press, fashion category, for the work « Ici c’est l’aquarium, dehors c’est l’océan »

2019/11 : Budapest International Foto Awards, Golden winner
Editorial category, for the work « Ici c’est l’aquarium, dehors c’est l’océan »

2019/6 : Paris PX3, Gold prize
Press, fashion category, for the work « Ici c’est l’aquarium, dehors c’est l’océan »

2019/5 : Moscow International Foto Awards, Golden winner
Fashion editorial category, for the work « Ici c’est l’aquarium, dehors c’est l’océan »

2019/5 : London International Creative Competition, Honorable mention
Student category, for the work « Ici c’est l’aquarium, dehors c’est l’océan »

2019/4 : Fine Arts Photography Awards, Nominee
Fashion category, for the work « Ici c’est l’aquarium, dehors c’est l’océan »

2019/1 : Tokyo International Foto Awards, Silver winner
Fashion editorial category for the work « Ici c’est l’aquarium, dehors c’est l’océan »

2018/10 : IPA, International Photography Awards, 2nd place
Political editorial category for the work « Ici c’est l’aquarium, dehors c’est l’océan »

2018/10 : PhotogrVphy Magazine, Photography Grant Nominee
For the work « Ici c’est l’aquarium, dehors c’est l’océan »