Monique van Laake | Faces | Dancing my demons away
Faces
“There are different aspects to my work as a photographer/artist. Some I enjoy thoroughly and some I perceive as challenging or even painful at times. The creative process, starting from conceiving a project to the actual shoot, usually brings me in a state of flow, feeling energized and happy.
Then what happens after, selecting and processing, that’s another story. My emotional state can go to all places; From ‘yes, great shots’ to ‘shoot, no good.’ It often happens that I need time to actually digest my work and to make final selections. But once I am there, I take the next step and lose myself in finalizing my artwork.
And Finally, exposure to the outside world. I generally don’t find it easy, promoting oneself, finding a way on social media, to the art world and galleries. And yet, there is this need….. but I absolutely enjoy seeing the work beautifully printed, hanging on a wall.”
The series ‘Faces’ contain the images of Katia Martin, Lotta Anders, and Suus Anders.
“When I met Suus I was intrigued: she exudes an exciting mix of a young girl’s innocence with a woman’s sensuality, her shyness with strength, and then there is her bone structure. While we were working together, she reminded me of the works of Egon Schiele. So I consider this a tribute to him.
MONIQUE VAN LAAKE
Monique van Laake, an independent photographer/artist, based in The Netherlands, close to Amsterdam (Bennebroek).
“I am fascinated with life in general, and I am most intrigued by the human face; the smallest change in mimic can make a big difference in expression and meaning. I’m hunting for that energy or emotion to grasp an indefinable moment in a split of a second; Something your brain picks up before anything else. It is the subtle interaction between the photographer and the one being photographed. And hopefully, that results in a reflection that you do not see in the mirror. Photography gives me the freedom to speak without words. It is a way of relating and connecting to people and to see them in a different light. Even though a project starts with an idea, I usually end up going off track and allow things to happen while we go along. That can be experimenting with different characteristics. Basically, I try to catch the sentiment of the light and the person at the moment.
Light only exists with darkness, and serenity coexists with movement, which is what I try to grasp in that one shot.
I love the intuitive process while shooting as well as finalizing my art in post. It is inseparable from my art; it is my vision and signature.”
Dancing my demons away
“When it comes to describing my images, my initial desire is to leave it open and give the spectator space to make their own narrative with the image. After all, we create meaning through our personal preferences and perceptions. That’s how it usually works for me, but I also understand some people need to have an idea of what the artist’s intentions were. My hope is to evoke an emotion or provoke thought with my work.”
“I had a fantastic opportunity to participate in Albert Watsons’ master class in Venice last year. He’s not only a very kind and gifted man, but he is also very generous in sharing his experience, vision, and providing relevant input. I was very grateful for the words he used to describe my work: fine art, esthetic, strong, bold, poetic, and an idea.”
