About the photographer

Michelle Blancke is a lens-based visual artist from Amsterdam, with a degree from the Fotoacademie's Conceptual Image program. Her work reflects a spiritual journey of self-discovery, where photography becomes a tool for exploring consciousness and the perception of reality.

Blancke is fascinated by the ways in which our minds shape our understanding of the world, as well as the scientific, philosophical, and metaphysical concepts surrounding existence. Influenced by nature, mythology, and spirituality, her images explore the thin boundary between reality and fantasy, evoking a sense of wonder about the hidden mysteries of life. Her work invites viewers into an alternate, secret world that reveals the soul within both herself and the natural environment.

In the Photography Prize Exhibition, Blancke presents works from her Secret Garden series, where she blurs the lines between reality and the fantastical. Through her lens, she creates surreal landscapes that beckon viewers into a world beyond the visible. These images delve into the mystique of nature, aiming to uncover the deeper layers of existence and the soul’s connection to the universe.

Blancke has exhibited her work in solo shows in Amsterdam and at the Musa Art Pavilion during the Venice Biennale. She has also participated in group exhibitions at Rotterdam Photo, as well as international shows in Milan and Arles. Her work has been featured in Aesthetica Magazine, HP/de Tijd, Der Greif, and highlighted by the editors of LensCulture.