Wouter van Wessel
Photography BA
Royal Academy Of Art The Hague KABK
Graduates: 2024
Specialisms: Photography
My location: Den Haag, Netherlands
Wouter van Wessel
First Name: Wouter
Last Name: van Wessel
University / College: Royal Academy Of Art The Hague KABK
Course / Program: Photography BA
Graduates: 2024
Specialisms: Photography
My Location: Den Haag, Netherlands
Website: Click To See Website
About
Originally from the Netherlands but
haped by my upbringing in Sweden, I, Wouter van Wessel (2000), use documentary photography to construct
visual records of Swedish
rural communities. Interested
in the slow transitional processes within them, I capture the tension between
generations undergoing change and the traces felt through personal portraits
and landscapes
I embrace the subjectivity inherent in the gaze. In my observative approach, I challenge the roles of history and culture in shaping
individual as well as collective identities. By orchestrating the sentimental core of my narratives, I give access for the audience to encounter the matter in
hand on an emotional ground.
The themes prevalent in my work evoke a sense of melancholy, particularly in relation
to isolation and rural life. Driven by these personal leitmotivs, I
immerse myself amid
of those settings and become part of the world I
portray to authentically capture the essence of the surroundings. Ultimately
this results in a photographic series aiming at giving a holistic view of a
region and its people in its time.
In the heart of Sweden lies Bergslagen, a region steeped in history, particularly known for its once-thriving iron mining industry. But as the mines closed their last doors in the 1980s, a ripple effect began, changing the fabric of the community, culturally and economically. Today, there's a delicate balance between generations in the area. Shaped by the now-disappearing traditions, the elders share space with a younger crowd whose ties to the region aren't as rooted. Some among them find solace in wild nature and rural life, embracing the identity of Bergslagen's past, while others seek their fortunes in the bustling cities, chasing opportunities far away from their home. Yet, there are those caught in the middle, torn between preserving their families' heritage and pursuing their aspirations elsewhere. In my work, 'The Sky is a Hazy Shade of Winter', I seek to capture the essence of this transformation, weaving together personal narratives and the ever-changing landscapes of Bergslagen. I paint a picture of my home, a place where the past and present dance in a delicate balance.
Competitions
