In this edition of UNSEEN, Bildhalle is dedicating a solo presentation to the Dutch artist Joost Vandebrug, in which he will be showing exclusively premiere works. At the core of his œuvre are imaginary landscapes com-
posed of multiple small fractals from his visual memory and journeys.
Joost Vandebrug will also show a 6m+ video installation at UNBOUND bringing movement to his sea scapes. The artist, who is also exhibiting his unique pieces at PARIS PHOTO and ART MIAMI later this year, will be present during the entire fair.
Joost Vandebrug’s art explores the boundaries of the photographic medium, characterized by his meticulous attention to the material aspects of photography and his unconventional printing techniques. Vandebrug’s thematic interests encompass the natural, the vulnerable, the ephemeral, the poetic, the slow, and the magic of the everyday.
His practice is distinguished by extensive material research, embracing imperfections as part of the creative process. He prints his works on meticulously crafted handmade Japanese washi paper, Nepali paper or baryta paper. Vandebrug considers imperfections as crucial to his work, as they expose the mechanics of the process and imbue the final product
with a kind of vibrancy. Moreover, they echo the themes of his work, such as sensitivity and vulnerability.
Vandebrug’s previous series “Exhilarating” reflects a personal journey from fear and isolation to light and hope, depicted through handcrafted paper cards of mountain landscapes at twilight. By choosing the twilight in this series, light and dark are given equal weight and become equally important. His latest project, “Pillow Book,” plays with the idea of a personal diary, using monotypes on mulberry paper to explore memory’s fluidity over time, while Vandebrug’s fascination with the Danube is a recurring theme in his work. He views the river as a symbol of life, purity, and fertility, and as a metaphor for the irreversible passage of time. In addition to photographing natural objects collected from along the river, he also captures fragile items like wilted flowers through a microscope.
Studied at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam, Vandebrug has a diverse artistic portfolio that includes photography, film, and various commercial projects. His documentary film “Bruce Lee and the Outlaw” has won awards and critical acclaim, including a five-star review from The Guardian. Vandebrug has exhibited widely, including at notable museums like Foam Photography Museum and FOMU.
from text fragments by Flor Linckens