COME HOME (2019-2021) is a visual study of the masculine lovescape. Through intimate portraits, sun-drenched stills, photos of flowers, and sultry details I explore the way young men experience intimacy and express love. The photobook focuses on five protagonists; Jens, Derrick, Chris, Tjeerd and Tim who each deal with their own notions on masculinity and share stories about love, intimacy and growing up.
As a means of achieving self-acceptance and coming to terms with my own emotions, I followed this group of twenty-something year old men over the course of two years to try and discover how growing up, dealing with past experiences, and expected stereotypical masculine behaviour affect the emotional development of young men. Packed with symbols of my youth in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen (a popular holiday destination in the south of The Netherlands), the images radiate a certain nostalgic aura that makes them seem like a distant but collective memory I share with the people whose stories I collected.
This project has been nominated for Best of Graduates 2021 by Galerie Ron Mandos, won the RM Photo Award and selected photos have been nominated for Rabobank Portrait Prize Talent. This project led to a selection for Rising Stars 2022 by NRC and has been covered in international magazines
