Gert Jochems
Graduating in Sociology and then Photography in 1998, Gert Jochems focuses his work on sex and its various inflections. In his series About Sex (even though the author specifies this is not its title), he keeps a documentary approach, not vaguely judging, nor forcedly romantic on this theme.
“What are these creatures doing?” Jochems seems to ask himself curiously, with a minimal and direct look. If the question is essentially ambiguous, the answer is simply decided by the observer. In a wider view of the Belgian photographer’s work, going through the intimacy of dozens of people and their lovers in the familiarity of their own abodes, or even those of strangers, an authentic portrait much more affectionate than you could expect emerges in the photographic sentiments. These pictures imply a relationship of power: the complete intimacy with their own sexuality and the control and familiarity of their urges, represent a power that call for a spectator. The photographer, holding his camera, sits on the armchair reserved to the audience that the concept of exhibition itself requires. So, even if distant, somehow he becomes part of it.
His works have been shown in Hasselt, Antwerp, Breda, Brighton and Genk, as well as in various media outlets.
URRICULUM VITAE
Born 1969, Belgium, Brecht
studies :
1988-92 : sociology, university Gent
1992-94 : international relations, university Gent
1994-98 : photography, academie voor schone kunsten, Gent
work :
1996-98 : regional freelance photographer, newspaper HET VOLK
1998-2003 : national freelance photographer newspaper DE MORGEN
2003-2005 : freelance photographer, mainly worked in Russia (see book)
2006-… : freelance photographer, distributed by AGENCE VU-PARIS
expositions :
1999 : aids in Africa, group exhibition, photograpers De Morgen, international house, Brussel
2000 : summer of poetry Watou, group exhibition, Watou / Belgium
2001 : world-championship atletics, group exhibition, SMAK – stedelijk museum actuele kunst, Gent / Belgium
2002 : Wie Sind Die Anderen, group exhibition, MARTHA, Herford / Germany
2005 : Inward-Outward, group exhibition, FLACC, Genk / Belgium
2005 : RUS, solo exhibition,Museum for Photography, Antwerpen / Belgium (see book)
2006 : Tunnel Vision, group exposition, Museum for Photography – Antwerp
2007 : Act of Faith, Noorderlicht, group exhibition, Groningen
2007 : RUS, solo exposition, Cultural Centre Hasselt
2007 : Genker Tuinen, Emile Van Dooren Museum, Genk
2008 : Photography in Flandres, group exhibition, Brighton / England
2008 : Screen Worlds, group exhibition, Flemisch Parlement, Brussels / Belgium
2008 : Dampremy, Breda photofestival, Breda / Netherlands
2009 : RUS, Foto Art Festival, Bielsko Biala / Poland
2010 : LUST, BIP, Biënale International de la Photographie, Luik / Belgium
2010 : Dampremie, C-Mine / Coalface, Genk / Belgium
2011 : RUS, Documentary Photography in Belgium, Guislain Museum, Gent / Belgium
book :
RUS, 2005, editor Fotomuseum Provincie Antwerpen, ISBN 9066250801
publications :
De Morgen, De Standaard, De Volkskrant, Vrij Nederland, DWB, EIKON, DAMM,….
