Secret Garden no 2 Photograph - Limited Edition of 10

Nature is a sanctuary. Immersed in the natural world, we experience a pure force. It brings us in touch with something incomprehensibly larger than ourselves. We might even catch a glimpse of the essence of our existence. For me, being in nature opens me up to the mysteries of life. Wandering thought-free, an energy awakens and unexplored parts of myself come to light. I find an opening to a hidden world, beyond the visible. A Secret Garden. From an early age, I've had an awareness that we each perceive reality in our own way. Our minds seem to shape the world around us, convincing us that our version of reality is the only one. This feeling leads me to delve into the mystery of reality. I am fascinated by scientific and philosophic ideas of consciousness, the fabric of the universe and metaphysics. But also by the stories that shape our understanding of existence, like in fantasy, mythology and spirituality. Using photographic techniques I give form to my vision on the world around me. Light and dark are in balance. I remove context and intensify with composition, framing and colour in a way that resembles painting. It seems as though the images extend beyond the frame. They unveil an abstracted reality that transcends the familiar. About Michelle Blancke (1984) is a lens-based visual artist from Amsterdam. She graduated from the Fotoacademie in May 2023, with a strong foundation in the three-year Conceptual Image program. She is represented by Sandvoort Gallery. Her work has been noticed, with features in several articles. A highlight is the Dutch Magazine HP/De Tijd, showcasing the work of eight recent art graduates. Her work is exhibited at fairs, festivals and group shows, such as Rotterdam Photo 2024. Her first solo exhibition is coming up later this year. She was proud to be selected for the longlist of Aesthetica Art Prize 2024.