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© Yves de Brabander. All rights reserved

ETHOS-PATHOS

ANTWERP, 2022

Doubled inkjet, laserprint, pigment and
varnish on Hahnemuhle Bamboo.

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 In de Brabander’s photography, vulnerability is palpable, a willingness to transcend surface appearances. It echoes how martyrs endured suffering for their beliefs and how saints displayed their scars as symbols of divine favor. Through his self-portraits, de Brabander fearlessly confronts his desires, fears, and the intricate facets of the human psyche.

 In the absence of what you desire, a profound yearning for something significant, something that adds meaning and depth to existence, takes hold. This longing becomes especially potent when feeling alone or isolated.

 During the year when my partner was working and living abroad, desire took on a profound significance in my life, a deep yearning for his presence.

 To cope with this longing de Brabander often turns to creating self-portraits. They serve as a means to explore and express innermost desires, revealing the inner world during a period of solitude. Each gesture or captured expression symbolizes an emotional journey, encapsulating not only longing but also the odyssey taken during moments of separation.

 Through the lens, Yves de Brabander seamlessly bridges the gap between the viewer and his subject, himself. In this introspective series, he extends an invitation to the audience to join him in unraveling life’s complexities.

 Yves de Brabander’s self-portraiture acts as a mirror, reflecting not only his own experiences but also the nuances of self-reflection and desire. In these visual narratives, the artist both shapes and is shaped, transcending boundaries.