Atelier

Nov 16

Where Light Speaks

The Hangar Photo Art Center in Brussels presents ‘Atelier’, a decade of artistic exploration through the lens of Stephan Vanfleteren, one of Belgium’s most renowned photographers. The exhibition offers an intimate visual symphony, reflecting on the passage of time, the inevitability of mortality and the beauty found in imperfection, all captured within Vanfleteren’s studio in Veurne.

At the heart of Vanfleteren's work lies his profound connection with light. His studio is more than a workspace; it serves as a sanctuary for light and introspection. Unconventionally facing south, it defies the norms of traditional north-facing artist studios. Vanfleteren embraces the unpredictability of shifting daylight. Here, light becomes both a subject and a collaborator. Vanfleteren’s meticulous attention to the interplay of light and shadow lends his work a timeless quality, likened to the masterpieces of Rembrandt and Zurbarán. Using light as a sculptor’s tool, he reveals textures and tones, framing his subjects against the soft backdrop of his signature grey stage curtains.

The portraits in ‘Atelier’ are as varied as life itself, from the weathered face of a fisherman marked by the tides of time to the hand of musician Nick Cave. Vanfletern’s black-and-white imagery is a profound study of texture and time, where every wrinkle, scar, and shadow tells its own story. The portrayal of aging individuals is a standout of the exhibition. Faces become landscapes shaped by the passage of time. More than photography, his work is an exploration of the human condition, preserving moments that might otherwise fade. It stands as an archive of emotion, existence and the stories etched into us all.

Beyond portraits, still life holds a prominent place through Vanfleteren’s ‘Nature Mortes’ series, featuring delicately captured images of lifeless animals. Here, death is not depicted as grotesque or frightening. In his images, death is not the end of life but a part of life’s continuous narrative. The stillness of these animals capture to the transient nature of existence. They remind us of the quiet beauty that lingers even in endings. Their forms, illuminated by Vanfleteren’s masterful use of chiaroscuro, evoke the works of Caravaggio or Géricault, where death becomes a reflection of the vibrancy and fragility of life.

Stephan Vanfleteren’s work, whether in the contrasts of his black-and-white portraits or the tender glow of a sunbeam on a weathered curtain, invites the visitor to slow down and rediscover the quiet power of observation. The minimalist setting of Hangar amplifies the impact of his images. As a visitor, you feel humble in a world where light becomes a storyteller and death gently reminds you of life’s transience. It is a moment to pause and truly see.