Ezra Böhm
‘As an artist I think you should try to swim against the current to attract attention. ’
Glad to feature an interview with Ezra Böhm, a fine art photographer based in the Netherlands.
I discovered his work through his multi-awarded series ‘The Identity of Holland ’ and I was really interested on how he manages to explore the questions of identity, culture and origin.
‘Zaanse schans’
Ezra Böhm © All Rights Reserved.
Vincent Dupont-Blackshaw: In a world where everyone is taking pictures all the time, do you remember the first time you felt like a photographer?
E.B.: I photographed my first shoot of The Identity of Holland in urk. The togetherness, the pride for their culture, and the will to share their stories with me touched me. Almost their entire village was behind my camera and everyone was eager to get in front of the camera and take the spotlight. that was the first time I felt I really had something special in my hands.
V.D.B.: Is your work influenced by other artworks or artists (painters, directors, musicians, writers, etc.)?
E.B.: The reason why I photograph is based on my own development. The things I shoot are a reflection of who I am what I question about life and how I see the world. The origin of ’The Identity of Holland' is when I went on holiday to Bali when i was 11 years old. We visited an indigenous tribe. When I saw their way of life I thought: yes, I would like to live like that, so close to our origin and to nature. The closeness and connection that the people there had with each other touched me, that feeling has always remained.
In my photography I am looking for the 'human Identity'. Questions such as: who are we, where do we come from and what made us who we are today, I search for in my photography. I am looking for people with a connection to their cultural roots. Something we are often losing today. So In the series: The identity of holland' I started researching my own origins.
Based on image style I am very inspired by old painters. especially the old Dutch masters. But I also get inspiration from photographers of today. we see a lot of images pass by nowadays. there is something to be learned from each individual artist.
V.D.B.: Is there a photographer whose work you particularly appreciate?
E.B.: The artist I admire the most is Rembrandt van rijn. This mainly because he managed to break with everything expected or desired, this takes a lot of guts. the best example of this is the night watch, a painting totally disrespected in time itself due to Rembrandt urge to create something he liked himself instead of the client. As an artist I think you should try to swim against the current to attract attention. I think every artist would dream to be able to create such a genius image once in his career.
‘Saw Miller’
Ezra Böhm © All Rights Reserved.
V.D.B.: How do you define your work?
E.B.: I want to take people back in time, show them that the world as it is today is not so obvious. by looking back you learn a lot about today but also a lot about tomorrow. the past is something that has completely formed us and we should not forget that. I photograph enscenated romanticized scenes. The pictures are worlds that I myself want to be a part of, elevated above the imperfection of the worldly. The people I photograph are put on a platform. their authenticity and pride make them shine like birds of paradise.
V.D.B.: What equipment do you use?
E.B.: Canon EOS R5 and Flashlight Godox AD400.
‘Aaltje’ Girl of Volendam
Ezra Böhm © All Rights Reserved.
V.D.B.: What are your three favourite photos in your portfolio?
E.B.:
-Aaltje’ Girl of Volendam
The girl gets to the core of the series. She shows the beauty and strength of her culture with her elegant and mysterious demeanor, but at the same time exudes a degree of vulnerability. the traditional culture of her village, but also of the whole of the Netherlands and Europe is almost dying. it would be a shame if these rich and deeply rooted cultures were to disappear.
-Zaanse schans
This photo series tells the story of weaving in the 18th century. a tough time with a lot of inequality and incredibly hard work for little reward. In the series, the tension and inequality is clearly felt.
-Saw Miller
My latest series, called Forgotten Heroes' is about the old crafts of the Netherlands. in this series the craftsman gets a heroic role and the viewer is shown why the craft today still plays such an important role in society. this picture shows for me pure strength, action and authenticity
For more information on Ezra Böhm's work, you can visit his website