Artist Statement Charlotte Mariën
Is it the photographer’s task to document reality or to shape one? For me, photography is a means to visually translate imaginative ideas. I aim to spark imagination and keep the act of dreaming alive. Much of my work consists of night scenes, where darkness fuels the mind to fill in the voids of blurred or hidden entities.
I began experimenting with photography in 2017, driven by curiosity about the possible outcomes. I discovered a compelling interplay between practice and imagination: each experiment sparked new inspiration and led to further exploration. I have worked with smoke, projections, glass, plastics, and mirrors, favoring these tangible techniques over digital post-processing. I am drawn to the paradox of using real elements to create surreal images.
Ultimately, photography allows me to bring my imagination to life and share it with others. Night and experimentation have been central to my work, yet I aspire to explore daylight photography in the future. Experimentation will always drive my work, pushing both my creative vision and technical craft to new possibilities.