SECOND PLACE WINNER - People: Portrait (AMATEUR)
Rubber Identity

Photo © richard westerhuis
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Women consider their hair as a crown jewelry and a way to express their
femininity. Often seeing our hair as a reflection of our identity, because it’s both
personal as public. Many women feel that a bad hair day equals a bad day. Her
self-esteem is seriously affected whenever her hair is to frizzy, to dry, turning
grey, or even falling out. This deep personal relationship between hair and
self-esteem is evident throughout history, philosophy and even religion.
It represents beauty, identity, femininity and liberation.
For centuries, women have been able to play different roles by changing
different hairstyles, and from their stories, we can see that hair contributes
greatly to women’s self-esteem, actions and motives. In the 1950s, female
communists and soldiers in China favored a short bob cut just below the ears.
This simple hairstyle was named the “Liberation Hairdo” because it is a symbol
of women taking control over their own lives. Today women continue to use their
hairdo to express themselves.
Most men associate a lack of hair as a sign of aging. In which one can only hope
for their hair to turn grey without losing it. What common fear hides with the
hair subject? Is hair just as important today? More importantly what happens if
we take it away from them, only for a few minutes?
This is why I ask my subjects to wear a vintage bath-cap, carefully chosen by
myself.
For 50s 60s glamorous stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Brigitte Bardot it was the
swimming cap that protected their beautiful hair. These eye catchers were used
to be a symbol for wellness, beauty and careless fun in long summers.
The reason why I chose to work with vintage bathing caps is, the era
represented also a fricative moment in time. One side
The “dramatizing elements,” as the artist calls them, are what makes his images their narrative power: his subjects are performers, professionals and amateurs. Whose interior self can differ greatly from their projected selves. Working together with those who are not afraid to be themselves. Whenever this is expressive or modest and are willing to open up. Those who throw off their masks.
He believes there’s a beauty in being vulnerable.
In a world dominated by artificialness, representation and autogry. Is it still possible to be yourself? Are we still unique?
With a background in psychology, Richard investigates through photography which roles of individualism and collectivism affects our social interactions and relationships. In ways by looking at our self and others.
Staging from his own observations and creativity moments of our daily lives.
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Women consider their hair as a crown jewelry and a way to express their
femininity. Often seeing our hair as a reflection of our identity, because it’s both
personal as public. Many women feel that a bad hair day equals a bad day. Her
self-esteem is seriously affected whenever her hair is to frizzy, to dry, turning
grey, or even falling out. This deep personal relationship between hair and
self-esteem is evident throughout history, philosophy and even religion.
It represents beauty, identity, femininity and liberation.
For centuries, women have been able to play different roles by changing
different hairstyles, and from their stories, we can see that hair contributes
greatly to women’s self-esteem, actions and motives. In the 1950s, female
communists and soldiers in China favored a short bob cut just below the ears.
This simple hairstyle was named the “Liberation Hairdo” because it is a symbol
of women taking control over their own lives. Today women continue to use their
hairdo to express themselves.
Most men associate a lack of hair as a sign of aging. In which one can only hope
for their hair to turn grey without losing it. What common fear hides with the
hair subject? Is hair just as important today? More importantly what happens if
we take it away from them, only for a few minutes?
This is why I ask my subjects to wear a vintage bath-cap, carefully chosen by
myself.
For 50s 60s glamorous stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Brigitte Bardot it was the
swimming cap that protected their beautiful hair. These eye catchers were used
to be a symbol for wellness, beauty and careless fun in long summers.
The reason why I chose to work with vintage bathing caps is, the era
represented also a fricative moment in time. One side
About author:
Richard Westerhuis (b. 1965) is a Dutch photographer who’s work emcompasses staged photography as well as intuitive in the moment.The “dramatizing elements,” as the artist calls them, are what makes his images their narrative power: his subjects are performers, professionals and amateurs. Whose interior self can differ greatly from their projected selves. Working together with those who are not afraid to be themselves. Whenever this is expressive or modest and are willing to open up. Those who throw off their masks.
He believes there’s a beauty in being vulnerable.
In a world dominated by artificialness, representation and autogry. Is it still possible to be yourself? Are we still unique?
With a background in psychology, Richard investigates through photography which roles of individualism and collectivism affects our social interactions and relationships. In ways by looking at our self and others.
Staging from his own observations and creativity moments of our daily lives.
BACK TO GALLERY