Blues

Happiness in Blues

Curious and attracted by the strong and positive minded Tanzanian women I wanted to portray them in their own environment, in their homes doing what they had to do anyway. In some cases being portrayed attracted a lot of attention. While I was busy talking to these mamas and making them feel at ease, curious neighbours started gathering in the narrow corridors. These moments created a fantasticatmosphere where nerves could relax, laughter ruled, where people were peeking and patiently awaiting my attention to take me to their room for a photo. Having left Tanzania in the meantime, these photos still make me smile,so much happiness around! Unintentionally many blue interiors came across my camera. Not a vague blue, but a striking blue and as the women said themselves: ‘Blue cools down the temperature in the room and keeps the mosquitoes away, but it also looks nice’. I could only agree with them!

Over the years some of these photos, in series or as singles, have won awards: 3rd Prize with portfolio “The Invisible Women” Julia Margaret Cameron Awards 2013 (Under The Worldwide Photography Gala Awards), nominated with 2 single images in portrait categories Julia Margaret Cameron Awards 2013, nomination as finalist in portrait category Julia Margaret Cameron Awards 2012. Some photos also took part in the “Roof of Africa’ exhibition in Tanzania in 2009.

The photos were made from 2009-2012 in Tanzania.

The series of ‘Blues’ have been nominated several times: 2012 and 2013 with the Julia Margaret Cameron Awards with several Nominations and 3rd price for  portrait series.