Love‘s a funny thing

What pieces or projects have you been working on lately?
For the past two years I’ve been documenting my healing journey. It’s a story of female empowerment after years of emotional abuse. 

Photography has been a way for me to get to know myself and express myself. Along the way, I’ve also tried to capture scenes that express harmony, balance, strength and beauty. 

What did you learn (or unlearn) while working on it?
Over time, I’ve learnt to see beauty in imperfection and flaws. I notice more beauty in small and everyday things. 

My self-portraits have changed with this realisation, as it’s no longer about portraying a perfect image, but about depicting reality. And in reality, the skin is not blurred. 

But I’ve also learnt to deal better with failures. Like healing, art is a process. Both are not linear. It’s okay to fail and try again. 

What words, ideas or emotions were running through your head?
I want my photography to reflect vulnerability, beauty and strength. I want to break down the image of beauty that is created by the media and society and define it for myself. 

Every photo tells a story and depicts emotions. I think it’s wonderful when other people can also identify with these emotions. You quickly realise that you are not alone and that we’re all fighting our battles. 

I really like the idea of connecting through art. 

Basically my thought is “Don’t be silent, tell your story.”

Was there any conversation, film, music or book that found its way into this work?
I read Men explain things to me by Rebecca Solnit some time ago. There was a passage that still sticks in my mind and moves me: 

“Her name was silence. His was power.“

I associate this statement very strongly with my past. It is a reminder to speak up and stand up for myself.

The song Labour by Paris Paloma has become something of an anthem for me and has been on my playlist for a very long time. In the meantime, the song has probably become a TikTok trend, but that doesn’t change the meaning. 

Also the music by Florence + The Machine and Idles inspires me a lot!

What was the most difficult thing you faced this month in your creative process?
This month I have the feeling that I’m not making any progress emotionally, and at the same time I realise that I’m making more mistakes in my photography. This has a different effect with analogue photography than with digital images, as I don’t see the results immediately. This has definitely led to frustration this month.

If you could have dinner at any restaurant in the city tonight, where would it be and what would you order?
Vegan Yes in London. There are no favourite dishes because everything is simply a culinary experience! The chef also explains the background to the food and the love story of the two chefs simply completes the overall picture. 

If your life were a movie this month, what would its title be and who would make the soundtrack?
The title would be Love‘s a funny thing and Florence + The Machine would sing it. 

And I don’t mean the title in a clichéd, lovey-dovey way. I mean love in all its facets. To yourself and to others. How you learn it and how much it gives you. But also the pain that comes with it. Love is a funny thing. 

Recommend us an artist you follow, someone who inspires you, and tell us what you like most about their work or their way of working.
The first one that comes to mind is Tracey Emin. She is not a photographer, but has had a strong influence on my self-portraits. She makes art that really moves you. It is unfiltered, honest and full of emotion.