My fascination for photography’s magic started at an early age (at ten). It is my belief that when shown alternatives to ways we observe, see and solve things, the world could change for the better. Once figured out, nature could provide us with all that is needed. Follow nature. I’d say.
I graduated from the Royal Academy of Arts in The Hague, the Netherlands, and from then on worked on various assignments. From advertising photography for major companies, portraits of the famous and less famous, to what’s called ‘street photography’. I initiated and produced projects like a Photography Festival in Rotterdam (RDFF), a benefit artauction and a humanitarian aid-collection for Syria on 7 Art Academies in the Netherlands. I’ve developed concepts like an ‘Art-Lift’ for the renowned museum Boijmans van Beuningen in Rotterdam and a landscape sculpture combining sports & art. My work has been in several exhibitions and some publications. I was on the longlist for the Prix de Rome and worked as a tutor at the Willem de Kooning Academy. Since 2020 my main focus lies on insects, especially insects that are inconspicuous, for there’s no bigger diversity then biodiversity. Let’s keep that in mind.
My connection with nature came at an even earlier age. My first recollection of life coincides with the moment I almost drowned. In an attempt to pick a flower from a cattail plant for my mum which grew in the pond near our house, I pulled myself into the water. I was 2 1/2 years old. I recall being impressed by the dimmed light and the muffled sounds while submerged. Some workman, which I noticed were doing maintenance on vegetation surrounding the pond, heard the splash and pulled me out. My floating bonnet, forming this bright orange spot in the middle of lush green leaves, marked my location. I’m in favour of colours.
Education
1993-1997 Royal Academy of Arts, The Hague, the Netherlands
1990-1993 Architecture - Polytechnic Faculty Rotterdam
Initiatives/Projects
jan 2013 - Clothes Drop Syria Humanitarian-aid-operation with the participation of 7 Art Academies in the Netherlands along with 40 other private addresses to serve as a drop-off point for clothes and aid. In 4 weeks time more then 30 tonnes of aid was collected, which was then shipped to refugees in Syria.
sep 2010 - Art Flow for Pakistan - Rotterdam, Benificial art-auction held at the NAi (Dutch Architecture Institute)
mar 2010 - RotDocFotoFest - 'Close to Home' - Rotterdam 2010 - 1st Rotterdam Documentary Photography Festival in collaboration with 9 guest-curators
okt 2009 - Dagboek Charlois. (Charlois Diary) Bookproject with images and literary texts contributed by 18 adolescents from the neighboorhood Charlois, Rotterdam. In collaboration with 10 writers/poets.
may 2009 - 'Orbis Pictus Caravanus - Naarden 2009 - A travelling exhibition in a mobile home with an ever changing view on the world. With work by Aya Musa, Paul Versteeg and Bosz de Kler
Exhibitions:
jan 2022 - sense of presence - outdoor exhibition, Rotterdam
oct 2021 - Atelier-route Kralingen, home gallery & Botanical garden Rotterdam
july 2015 - UNGRAVITY - Margreeth Olsthoorn, Rotterdam
oct 2014 - Atelier-route Kralingen – exhibition new work and free portraits for visitors
sept 2014 - Route du Nord – Palmtree & dades
aug 2014 - Delirious Rotterdam – during world harbour days Rotterdam, Hulstkampgebouw Noordereiland
mar 2014 -Equilibrium – exhibition about the balance between work & life / home-gallery.
july 2013 - Arboretum Trompenburg – garden house. Pictures of trees.
oct 2012 - Portraits International Film Festival Rotterdam - In cooperation with EYE Filmmuseum & CBK Zuidoost.
apr 2009 - 'RogierSchietMotten' - 'RogierShootsMoths' A selection of pictures of moths (Trichoptera) Museum of Natural History, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
nov 2007 -SML. Exhibition to celebrate the 325th birthday of the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague in cooperation with Guus Rijven and Susan van Hengstum
may 2006-W139/Basement, Amsterdam group-exhibition
nov 2004-'Rotterdam Bevalt' - Exhibition of 30 portraits of famous people from Rotterdam, Gallerie 'Vips-Art' Rotterdam
dec 2001 - Exhibition at gallerie 2 1/2 x 4 1/2, Amsterdam dec 2001 -Dutch Photography Institute, presentation of SEC 08
groupexhibition
oct 2000 -Exhibition gallerie 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 Amsterdam
Sponsored by Art Lab Rotterdam
juli 1998 -Nieuwe Oogst. ' New Harvest'
Mondriaanhuis Amersfoort. groupexhibition
sept 1997 - People of the City, Krefeld, groupexhibition
juli 1997 -Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague
dec 1996 -Streetgallery Amsterdam Centre of Photography three photographs taken at the fairground in Rotterdam
Publications
2013 Het Beste van Nederland (The best of the Netherlands) by Rik Zaal - Publisher: Lebowski 2009 PUBLICATION, bi-annual printed publication by Nick Turpin, UK
2004 Rotterdam Bevalt, 30 interviews with famous people from Rotterdam
Publisher: Uitgeverij Kapstok
2002 Prix de Rome 2002, Uitgeverij 010 Publishers, Rotterdam (longlist)
2001 Panl Awards # 11, Portfolio series: Silver People: Silver & Gold
2001 Camera Austria, Forum no. 75
2001 SEC O8 2000 Search For Art 4.0 www.searchforart.org
1999 SEEN - Canon Magazine, portfolio Innocent Bystanders
1998 Camera Austria, Forum. No. 62-63
1996 European Cultural Foundation, Images Of Europe
Teaching/courses
sept 2012/jan 2013 - Teacher/tutor Willem de Kooning Academy, Rotterdam
Screenings
2017 - Following butterflies, Museum of Natural History, Rotterdam (NL)
2014 - A B C - Rotterdam Open Doek, Lantaren/Venster cinema (NL)
2012 - The Hare - Rotterdam Open Doek, Lantaren/Venster cinema (NL)
2009 - The Hare - Bridget, New York (US)
Awards/Lists
2005 - Best magazine photograph, the Netherlands. (Neelie Kroes, issued in Intermediair)
2002 - Magnet (best photography recruitment advertisement for IBM)
2002 - Long list Prix de Rome
2001 - Photography Award of the Netherlands (PANL) - 1 gold and 2 silver nominations
2000 - Search for Art nominee, a worldwide call by Mandarina Duck. Publication with work by 100 contemporary artists.
Commercial/Portraits
BEN, KesselsKramer, Volvo, UPC, SVB, IBM, VPRO, Aegon, Discovery Channel, New York Times, ING, ARA Advertising, Interpay, CARP, Intermediair, HP de Tijd, Credits Media, ING/Postbank, ILSE, Ordina, THONIK, Ontwerpwerk, TPG-Post, De Groene Amsterdammer, Leuke Dingen Doen, Ordina, De Werkvloer, Quote Magazine, Safe Magazine, Rijskwaterstaat, Vlieger communicatie, Het Stormt, De Toneelschuur, Less Agency, IFFR Rotterdam.