Jan C. Schlegel for HRW

Jan C. Schlegel

- In what way is art a tool for activism?

Art is about beauty. When we look at something extremely beautiful, may it be tremendous sunset or landscape, a single flower or a painting... For that moment we seize to exist. You, with all your problems, with all your daily mess and confusions, all your worries or all your pain - all that is driven away by something you see with tremendous beauty. For that moment you are absent. That makes art so valuable, that is why it is so needed and desired. It’s the essence of why art is able to lead to awareness and needed action.

Beauty, may it be a melody you hear, something visual you experience, or a fragrance you smell, reaches the deepest and hidden parts of your consciousness, where nothing else can reach. It touches the very core of your being, your soul.

- In what way does your chosen piece for HRW reflect 2020?

2020 was like the deceleration of our lives. It slowed us down and made us aware of what is really important to us. It removed all the daily “noise”. This picture is part of our series “Interruption” and depicts beauty, love, affection, and the surrender to nature.

- What gives you hope?

Love and beauty. People making sacrifices to see a change in their lives or in the lives of others. People overcoming selfishness and their limitations.

BIO

His excitement for analog black and white photography led Jan C Schlegel (1965) to create striking and strong portraits of tribal men in Africa and Asia. With his unique style and approach to creating pictures of relevance, he is on a quest to distill the essence of life with his works. Never satisfied, always pushing himself to search deeper and to go beyond challenging his own status quo.

The photographs become a personal encounter for the viewer, leaving them as a changed person after seeing them. His images are truthful, revealing emotions and creating a deeper understanding of life, inviting the viewer to admire the beauty and gain hope for life.

Jan C Schlegel works with handmade wooden large format cameras on traditional film. All his works are developed and printed by himself in his own darkroom as fibre-based silver gelatin prints or platinum prints.

www.janschlegel.com Instagram: @janschlegel

This artwork is unframed and located in Nurnberg, Germany. WILLAS contemporary will facilitate artwork release within 21 days after payment. Can be picked up by the buyer, or shipped at the buyer´s expense.