For more then 20 years I have been creating art centered on autobiographical themes, both unconsciously and consciously. I discovered photography as a tool to feel safe and creative during my studies of Cultural Studies at university. In the beginning I felt the urge to express myself by capturing moments as proof of my existence, my sense of belonging, my relationships with others, and my surroundings. Since this was about 27 years ago, all the images I shot were analog and in black and white. I learned to make prints in the darkroom, and this process, along with the darkroom itself, became an important part of what the images communicated.
5 years later I applied to art school with a major in Photography. My final project, Wrang, focused on finding (back) moments and memories that could serve as proof of my childhood experiences. Having previously photographed women who had experienced violence and abuse in their lives, suppressed images and experiences surfaced from my unconscious. I brought these together as a book and installation: screenshots from my family’s 8 mm films, gestures and moments that reminded me of myself as a little girl but belonged to other girls photographed 20 years later, and pictures of “lost places” that provoked memories and feelings in me.
More than 25 years later, my working method is still very intuitive, but it has shifted. I now work with archives and mixed media (collage) and teach others to do the same in their own artistic work. Having completed a certified training as an art therapist this year, I feel ready to put my years of experience into practice and to guide even more people in expressing themselves through autobiographical themes.
From now on I will be posting regularly about the insights I have gained over the years concerning autobiographical themes, therapeutic photography, art therapeutic methods, and how to become more resilient in this crazy world.
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