What once Was
At Arm’s Length
Installation views
About
CV
The Ardennes region is like a living time capsule.
Once bustling with activity, this area was a thriving region until major industries shifted their focus to larger cities.
In the wake of this migration, the Ardennes have gradually slipped into a state of impermanence, a place where time seems to stand still, suspended between what once was and what remains.
Today, those who continue to call this region home often find themselves turning back to the land, relying on it for their livelihood.
“What Once Was” is an ongoing documentation of my encounters in this region, capturing the balance between decay and resilience. Through my lens, I portray scenes of dilapidation and conflict, not only as a testament to the region’s physical decline but also as a meditation on loss.
There is a mythological quality to the Ardennes, an aura that lingers in its backroads,
Life and death are irrevocably present. Yet, in the midst of this decline, there is also a story of loyalty and faithfulness. Many faces, despite the odds being stacked against them, have chosen to stay. They remain devoted to the land, to the forests and hills that surround them.
The Ardennes may no longer be the thriving region it once was, but in the quiet determination of its people, there is a profound and enduring beauty.
With the aim to not just document a place in decline; but instead the spirit of those who continue to live and work here, who find meaning and purpose in a landscape that, despite everything, remains their home.