THE IDENTITY OF HOLLAND
In this series, I photograph the last people in traditional Dutch costume. I not only celebrate the richness of this unique piece of heritage, but also draw inspiration from these communities as a reflection on the globalising world.
This huge variety of traditional clothing in the Netherlands is an important piece of identity. With its deep-rooted ideologies, symbolic values and rich decoration, this special piece of Dutch heritage deserves to find its place in this time.
My hope is that these images not only evoke admiration, but also inspire people to discover their own cultural roots.
THE IDENTITY OF HOLLAND
In this series, I photograph the last people in traditional Dutch costume. I not only celebrate the richness of this unique piece of heritage, but also draw inspiration from these communities as a reflection on the globalising world.
This huge variety of traditional clothing in the Netherlands is an important piece of identity. With its deep-rooted ideologies, symbolic values and rich decoration, this special piece of Dutch heritage deserves to find its place in this time.
My hope is that these images not only evoke admiration, but also inspire people to discover their own cultural roots.
SONY WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2022 - DISCOVERY OF THE YEAR
TIFA TOKYO AWARDS 2021 GOLD IN CATEGORY PEOPLE CULTURE
FINE ART PHOTO AWARDS 2022 BRONZE IN CATEGORY PEOPLE
ND AWARDS 2021 DISCOVERY OF THE YEAR
ND AWARDS 2021 GOLD IN CATEGORY PEOPLE
WORLDWIDE
APPRECIATION
The series The Identity of Holland has received worldwide appreciation. The series won the award ‘Discovery of the Year’ at the world's most prestigious photography competition, ‘Sony World Photography Awards’.
The identity of Holland has been discussed on CNN and has been exhibited at Somerset house in the heart of London.
SONY WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2022 - DISCOVERY OF THE YEAR
TIFA TOKYO AWARDS 2021 GOLD IN CATEGORY PEOPLE CULTURE
FINE ART PHOTO AWARDS 2022 BRONZE IN CATEGORY PEOPLE
ND AWARDS 2021 DISCOVERY OF THE YEAR
ND AWARDS 2021 GOLD IN CATEGORY PEOPLE
WORLDWIDE APPRECIATION
The series The Identity of Holland has received worldwide appreciation. The series won the award ‘Discovery of the Year’ at the world's most prestigious photography competition, ‘Sony World Photography Awards’.
The identity of Holland has been discussed on CNN and has been exhibited at Somerset house in the heart of London.
VOLENDAM
Volendam is the epicenter of Dutch traditional culture. People from all over the world come to this picturesque fishing village to experience the culture of the Netherlands. The costume of Volendam may be the most famous in the world, but this culture has almost disappeared completely. Only one woman still wears the clothing every day. If she dies, this iconic culture will disappear with here and their culture will only be a tourist attraction
VOLENDAM
Volendam is the epicenter of Dutch traditional culture. People from all over the world come to this picturesque fishing village to experience the culture of the Netherlands. The costume of Volendam may be the most famous in the world, but this culture has almost disappeared completely. Only one woman still wears the clothing every day. If she dies, this iconic culture will disappear with here and their culture will only be a tourist attraction.
URK
Because Urk was an island until the middle of the last century, they were able to maintain their own culture for a very long time. Urk is a close-knit community and they are proud of their identity.
The older generation are doing their best to pass the traditions of the village to the new generation, and with success! Some people still wear the traditional costume every Sunday, to church or to the choir.
URK
Because Urk was an island until the middle of the last century, they were able to maintain their own culture for a very long time. Urk is a close-knit community and they are proud of their identity.
The older generation are doing their best to pass the traditions of the village to the new generation, and with success! Some people still wear the traditional costume every Sunday, to church or to the choir.
WEST-FRIESLAND
In 1578, during the 80-years war, Amsterdam was occupied by the Spanish. In collaboration with Willem van Oranje, the Dutch ‘watergeuzen’ blocked the shipping route to Amsterdam. The international trade moved to West-Friesland, creating enormous economic growth. The result of this is a rich costume in this area, with silver or gold earrings as showpiece.
WEST-FRIESLAND
In 1578, during the 80-years war, Amsterdam was occupied by the Spanish. In collaboration with Willem van Oranje, the Dutch ‘watergeuzen’ blocked the shipping route to Amsterdam.
The international trade moved to West-Friesland, creating enormous economic growth. The result of this is a rich costume in this area, with silver or gold earrings as showpiece.
NORTH-VELUWE
When you take a look at the Dutch traditional costumes you not only get a better understanding of the Dutch culture, but you also see similarities with other cultures.
Covering the head is a good example of a cultural aspect that is not respected by everyone nowadays, but which was a norm in many cultures over the world, including the Netherlands.
The North-Veluwe has a wide variety of hats, were sometimes girls had to shave all their hair off to wear it.
NORTH-VELUWE
When you take a look at the Dutch traditional costumes you not only get a better understanding of the Dutch culture, but you also see similarities with other cultures.
Covering the head is a good example of a cultural aspect that is not respected by everyone nowadays, but which was a norm in many cultures over the world, including the Netherlands.
The North-Veluwe has a wide variety of hats, were sometimes girls had to shave all their hair off to wear it.
STAPHORST
In the community of the small village in Staphorst traditionele clothing is nothing special. More than 500 people here still wear the traditional clothing every day and the people in Staphorst live in beautiful classic oriented farm-houses.
The people of this village show that a deep connection with your traditional culture is still possible in a heavily globalised country like the Netherlands.
STAPHORST
In the community of the small village in Staphorst traditionele clothing is nothing special. More than 500 people here still wear the traditional clothing every day and the people in Staphorst live in beautiful classic oriented farm-houses.
The people of this village show that a deep connection with your traditional culture is still possible in a heavily globalised country like the Netherlands.
SCHEVENINGEN
The originally named 'Terram de Sceveninghe' was build from the need of fish by the counts of Holland. For a long period of time, Scheveningen never had a harbor. The fish was laid on the beach and the man with the iron gong spread the time in de village, when the fish would be auctioned on the beach.
SCHEVENINGEN
The originally named 'Terram de Sceveninghe' was build from the need of fish by the counts of Holland. For a long period of time, Scheveningen never had a harbor.
The fish was laid on the beach and the man with the iron gong spread the time in de village, when the fish would be auctioned on the beach.
FIND YOUR IDENTITY
This journey has helped me to form my own identity and broaden my worldview. I hope I can inspired you to look for your own cultural roots.
Who are you, where are you from and what have made the world around you look like it is today?
I would love to see what you’ve found!