Leven van Holland

The life of Holland is 2012 visual essay from the western coastal provences of The Netherlands. With no subject or thematic intention , David explored two Dutch cities. Amsterdam, reknown for its arts heritage, 17th century architecture, extensive canal sysyetms and cycling culture…and Utrecht , for its smaller canals, medievil centre, gothic cathedral and esteemed university.

“Creating images of famous cities is challenging yet creates opportunity for new story telling. The clichéd modern Amsterdam was not my experience at all. . Initially I walked aimlessly for two days without an image - distracted by visual and cultural expectations (which were very limiting). Once I dropped all that, the stories began to emerge though people, street scenes , bicycles, animals, diversity and history. A photojournalistic approach was the ideal expression for my visual impression of Holland” says David.

Leven Van Holland uses story in many of the works through dark and light. The darkest elements of human suffering are depicted in two levels. The public genocide of 70% of the Jewish population - in all it’s inhumane devastation of 1940’s nazism …….and the personalised, private suffering and isloation of the homeless , in 2012.

These, conversly, sit side by side in the lighter element of Leven van Holland. A distinctly European and increasingly diverse culture where bicycles, cannibis and canals happily traverse the land with rich, warm colours of life in expressions of freedom, joy, and independence.

Leven van Holland - Antique Flooring Gallery , Sydney in 2014