Exhibition: KiekOtentiek

A Warm Welcome to KiekOtentiek

It is with great joy and a touch of pride that I welcome you to my latest exhibition, KiekOtentiek, now open at Het Oude Raadhuis in Warmond. After spending so much time immersed in the lives and stories of the remarkable women featured in these portraits, sharing them with you feels like the completion of a very special journey.

Beyond Folklore: A Living Heritage

When you first see these black-and-white portraits, you might be tempted to think they are "old" photos from a bygone era. However, the truth is much more contemporary. These women—and the few men remaining—wear their traditional costumes not for tourists or folklore festivals, but as their authentic, daily attire.

Through my lens, I wanted to capture the timeless spirit of these communities. These aren't bedazzled or stiff historical poses; these are portraits of women who live very much in the 21st century, standing "midden in het leven" (in the middle of life) while staying true to their roots.

The Magic of Connection

For me, photography has always been about more than just the technicalities of the camera. It is about contact. My goal was to create an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding where my subjects felt free to look into the lens with a sense of self-assurance and clarity.

I hope you can see that "sparkle" in their eyes—the result of a genuine connection between the photographer and the photographed.

Craftsmanship and Detail

In this exhibition, you will see 43 portraits, each framed with the same care and discipline I applied when first looking through the viewfinder. I remain a devotee of analog, black-and-white photography. There is a certain "magie" in developing these images on beautiful paper, ensuring that every detail of the lace and every line of a smile is preserved.

Also on Display: Infrared Landscapes

Alongside the portraits, I am also showcasing a series of infrared photographs. These images, such as the study of the North-South Holland Coffee House in Amsterdam, offer a different, almost ethereal perspective on our world, contrasting with the grounded realism of the KiekOtentiek series.

I invite you to come to Warmond, take a "denkbeeldig raampje" (imaginary window) to look through, and experience these stories for yourself.

Warmly,

Lise Gerson Lohman