Arts Thread

Johan Holst Zwergius
Photography

HDK-Valand – Academy of Art and Design

Graduates: 2024

Specialisms: Photography / Fine Art / Art Curation

My location: Antwerp, Belgium

johan-holst-zwergius ArtsThread Profile
HDK-Valand – Academy of Art and Design

Johan Holst Zwergius

johan-holst-zwergius ArtsThread Profile

First Name: Johan

Last Name: Holst Zwergius

University / College: HDK-Valand – Academy of Art and Design

Course / Program: Photography

Graduates: 2024

Specialisms: Photography / Fine Art / Art Curation

My Location: Antwerp, Belgium

About

Johan Holst Zwergius, photographer from Denmark, BA in photography at HDK-Valand from 2021 to 2024 and is currently enrolled in the Photography MA program at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium. My artistic practice revolves around several different themes and techniques. One of the most important aspects is the implementation and extension of literary and historical references in my work. This manifests itself in my photographs through the frequent use of allegory and visual cues from both old illustrations, paintings, and texts related to the subject. With these references in mind, I set out to manifest these ideas and concepts into the visual spectrum, using photography as my main medium.

The seventh circle (silent reminder)

This project is a part of the artist’s long-form ongoing work about visually translating Dante’s Divine Comedy and the depiction of hell herein. The seventh circle, also known as the circle of violence, is one of the deepest and most vicious circles, and the place where people with violent tendencies towards others and themselves are sent. Nine photographs show a variety of objects with a historical connection to violence, in a poignant commentary to insinuate that the history of the world is the history of violence.