Danish photographer Søren Solkær captivates with a new exhibition for Fotomuseum aan het Vrijthof in Maastricht, Netherlands featuring more than 60 portraits of international street artists with their works of art in public spaces. SURFACE by Soren Solkaer, which debuts March 19, includes a wide array of artists from graffiti pioneers and emerging artists to some of the most influential figures on the street art scene.
Internationally known for his iconic portraits of pop musicians like Adele, Amy Winehouse, Bjork and U2, Solkaer set his sights on showcasing the artists behind one of the most important contemporary art movements. He captured Dutch street artists such as DOES, Laser 3.14 and Niels Shoe Meulman as well as international artists including Blek le Rat, DABSMYLA, D*Face, ELLE, Icy & Sot, Lady Aiko, Maya Hayuk, Seen, Shepard Fairey, The London Police — even the infamous Invader.
The inspiration for SURFACE came via music, unanswered questions and rural Denmark.
“Growing up in the 80s, I was introduced to the first wave of hip hop culture coming from the USA. I started breakdancing and tagging – in rural Denmark,” said Solkær. “At the start of the Millennium, I started traveling the world photographing musicians. I started seeing street art popping up in many big cities, and it became part of my travel itinerary to always leave a day or two to explore new street art when I came to a new city. Unlike other art forms, where you know a lot about the artist, I got curious about who [was] behind these grand art works and realized there was nowhere to really find out. That inspired me to embark on the Surface journey. I decided to create the missing bible of that genre, whilst also reconnecting to the biggest passion of my teenage years.”
SURFACE is the result of a five-year journey through global street art hotspots like Amsterdam, Berlin, London, Miami, New York, Paris and Sydney. Inspired by the texture and color of the murals, Solkaer aimed to capture the creative spirit and energy of the murals with artist portraits that reflect its mood as well as their personality. At times, it’s humorous and quirky, at others edgy and mysterious. While some artists requested their faces be hidden (no surprise there!), Solkaer still managed to capture the essence of both artist and mural. And it’s nothing short of fascinating.
Meeting the artists behind his favorite artworks was a major departure from the often commercial and strictly-controlled music business, where artist photography can be severely limited by management restrictions. Though certainly very much his passion, his encounters with street artists was an entirely different and refreshing experience.
“It’s a very organic environment and has felt like being invited into a community that is dominated by a spirit of collaboration and interaction,” said Solkær. “I was very surprised about finding out how much interconnectedness there is in the global street art world. It is like a big family. Once I got started on the project, one artist would always lead me to the next. I realized at that point that I was creating a family album rather than a bible.”
But the project wasn’t without its challenges. While musicians are typically pro-promotion and idolatry, the street art scene is a different animal altogether. Many street artists don’t want to reveal their identity, and creating a portrait representation by displaying the personality and mood of the artists while keeping their identity confidential made for a unique impediment.
“But facing these various creative constrictions have really been a blessing in disguise,” said Solkær. “I rely extensively on my instinctive abilities to depict the feel and universe that defines the particular artist that I am working with. It’s a situation that calls for collaboration. We transmit ideas, and feelings too. I am creating the portrait with the artist. I always walk away enriched, because we have created something new, a kind of third element – something that wasn’t there before. The result is a hybrid between the artist, the art and my interpretation.”
Solkær’s ability to create a visual language for the project that pays tribute to the quality of the work of the artists is tremendously exciting for both creators and aficionados alike. Whether the artist is an open book, a ghost among us or somewhere in between, Surface entrances. We discover the artist juxtaposed with their art — and in Surface — a part of the artistic expression itself. Surface dovetails the art and the artist, the obvious and the obscure, to create a 4D experience for the senses.
Street art’s power to evoke new ideas, emotions and discussions also drew Solkær to create this project. And with all of the uncertainty and suffering in the world right now, we asked him to share his thoughts on street art’s role in shaping or reflecting public opinion.
“To me, one of the powerful aspects of street art is its democratic nature,” Solkær said. “A lot of the artists on the scene are there because it gives them a voice. I believe that street art is an important part of the public debate. It is able to empower, inspire and to question the authorities.”
In addition to the photography exhibit, Fotomuseum aan het Vrijthof organized a side program with guided tours, scooter routes, discussions and workshops as well as the development of several murals in Maastricht.
An eponymous book is available for the portrait project, which features 135 street artists. Supporting videos can also be seen during the exhibition.
SURFACE continues through Sept. 25.
Søren Solkær (Sønderborg, 1969) graduated from FAMU, the Photo & Film Academy in Prague. The photographer exhibits in museums and galleries worldwide, and is internationally known for his iconic portraits of pop musicians such as Adele, Amy Winehouse, Arctic Monkeys, Björk, Pharrell Williams and U2. His extensive oeuvre is captured in seven fine art books: Beat City, CLOSER, SOULS, SURFACE, Portraits 1993-2018, Black Sun and PASSAGE. Solkær lives and works in Copenhagen.
Museum Information:
Address: Vrijthof 18, 6211 LD Maastricht, Netherlands
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