Hangers

Carefully Composed Works of Art

Photography has evolved through out the years and is getting more and more respected as an art form. Perhaps Man Ray really kicked off the conceptual kind of usage of the camera.

Still-life photographer Maurice Scheltens and visual artist Liesbeth Abbenes are artists, like Man Ray, that have a truly conceptual approach to photography. The photos they compose are created by looking at shape and color. The overall composition is the important factor in their creations. Some of their work even reminds me of paintings by Mark Rothko.

Scheltens & Abbenes take ordinary objects like hangers or chairs and manage to place them in such a way that their shapes or colors brings about something truly abstract. They make us look at the objects not for what they are but for what they can be. Shape over function. It makes us look differently towards any given object. Wonderful photographs that will look beautifully on any living room wall.

Website: www.scheltens-abbenes.com

Kunstuur (Dutch) – In Sight: Scheltens & Abbenes

  • http://tarthead.wordpress.com Glennie Bee

    Very nice post. I think ‘coathangers’ is an exceptional photograph. I’m trying to look at more conceptual photography, so thanks for this.

    • http://pforphoto.wordpress.com Marcel Everts

      Thanks for your comment! If you find other interesting conceptual photographers, please let me know. I’m always looking for inspirational photographers to talk about on my site.

      • http://tarthead.wordpress.com Glennie Bee

        I was going to say the same to you! Early days for me in photography (I write about stuff, I don’t actually do it), have concentrated more on ‘traditional’ art, but good photography is equal to any art form, I think. And it’s just as rare to find anything truly worthwhile, in spite (or maybe because of?) the world being Pinterested and Instagrammed to death. Big fan of Mapplethorpe.

        • http://pforphoto.wordpress.com Marcel Everts

          Haha, well you can ask me of course. I know a couple of interesting photographers who are truly committed to conceptual art. Just a couple of names that comes to mind are: Gregory Crewdson, Levi van Veluw, Chema Madoz, Femke van Veen, Michel Szulc Krzyzanowski, Man Ray. I’m a photographer myself, for some what years now, so I’ve kept my eyes open for interesting photographers for a while now :)
          So true what you said about finding something truly worthwhile in the art of photography. And Mapplethorpe is amazing, i agree.

          I will follow your blog! Would be interesting to read about your views on art. And if you have any questions, just ask! I’m happy to answer them.

          • http://tarthead.wordpress.com Glennie Bee

            Thank you so much – for all the names and the follow! You are now my photo guru, whether you like it or not. Haven’t been blogging long, but I have done pieces on Mapplethorpe and McCurry. Your post has certainly given me something to chew over for my next photo opp!
            Thanks again and best regards. :)