Le
vernissage, a private view for invited guests for the “Exposition des 100 plus
belles photos de Mons en 2015 photos” on June 18, 2015.
This event not
only one of my highlights in Mons 2015, but personally a milestone and an achievement.
On the Opening Night of the Mons 2015, I had a brag-worthy moment when found my photo in an exhibition of “Mons en 2015 photos”. About a month ago, I got an e-mail from the organizer informing that my photo was selected amongst
hundreds of photographs during the one-night exhibition, and will be in the Triennale de la
photographie de Mons 2015, featuring 100 most beautiful photos.
Here I am this evening, standing in front of my photo.. feeling so overwhelmed.
Daddy
must be proud!
I
kept saying that over and over again.
It
was exactly 20 years ago he bought me a SLR camera.
I was very much interested in taking photos but his retro Nikon SLR couldn’t
meet my need. He also used to be very passionate about photography and the
equipments had always made me wonder. So when I was accepted to get in to the best school in the region and joined the photography club, he got me the
latest model of Canon EOS which made everyone so envious.
The part of learning photography theoretically wasn’t a good memory. Don’t forget to take notes! -as he kept remind me.
I was struggling while he told me not to give up, encouraged me to shoot.. small things and random objects from daily life and once a while took me for photo hunt around the city. I remember, how lovely it was having weekend dates with him going to photo exhibitions. A photojournalism exhibition at The Erasmus Huis, Dutch Cultural Centre had the strongest impact in my mind and then shaping my career path.
The excitement of capturing moments through a camera never stop me, though later I opt for compacts.
This photo was a random shot on Prince Charming’s birthday two years ago. It might
be beginner’s luck to be in this exhibition considering it was taken with my
pinky shooter. But the way I see my photo with other great artworks today
has the same sort of feeling when looking back at an exhibition
two decades ago. Amaze and so I nearly cry.
While
I was stoked in front of my photo, counting how many people noticed my work, a
woman approached.. asking if I took the photo and if it’s digitally altered or
photoshopped. To be honest, I did only edit very few things. She's a
professional photographer, with a series of photos in this exhibition. Mine
is her favorite one, saying she loves it for the color, structure and how
poetic it is.
It is indeed a very strong image to me. Sentimental. As I called this photo “Grey”
which reflects my life in Belgium. Everyone would easily associates with the
sky. Yes, the epic Belgian sky.. grey and cloudy. Those dark clouds surrounded unhappy
thoughts. Deep sadness and sorrow. Doubts and frustration. Don’t cry or give up..
because every cloud has a silver lining. Climb or crawl! Those stairs surely
will lead to somewhere. And the only way is up. Where the trees look joyfully alive and
nothing can’t stop them from standing tall and strong.
It
is probably only a small scale event but huge and means a lot to me. It’s more
than a dream come true. Here, abroad.. in home away from home, I have the
chance to show off what I got. From thousands of entries, I am proud to be finally
chosen as one of the best. I was failed on the previous event and good to know
I’m not giving up. All the efforts seem to be worthwhile now and this is the
reason why I’m here, in Mons. Excited to do more and better.
Thank
you everyone who had given me this amazing opportunity.
* Yves
Vasseur (commissioner Foundation Mons 2015), Xavier
Canonne (director of The Museum of Photography in Charleroi), Bénédicte
Thomas and Francis Delanativité (president and secretary of the Royal
Photo-Club Montois)
La
Triennale de la photographie de Mons 2015
June
19 – September 26, 2015
Ateliers
des FUCAM
Rue
des Sœurs Noires 2
Monday
– Friday, 9 am – 4.30 pm (closed at 3 pm in July and August)
Saturday, 1 -5 pm (closed on July 21, August 15 and Sunday)
Saturday, 1 -5 pm (closed on July 21, August 15 and Sunday)