This publication from Hannibal Books chronicles the career of Belgian photographer John Vink (b. 1948).
Vink was one of the first members of Agence VU’ and began contributing to Libération in 1985. He has travelled all around the world with his camera in search of the stories unfolding on the sidelines of current events. In his native Belgium, carnival, cycling and everyday life caught his eye. In Bangladesh, Iraq, Mali and many other countries, he documented displacement, dignity and resilience. His personal project Water in the Sahel won the W. Eugene Smith Grant in 1986, showcasing his commitment to capturing the human experience in difficult environments.
Vink became a full member at Magnum Photos in 1997, where he would remain until 2017. After years of travel, Vink settled in Cambodia in 2000, allowing him to engage more deeply with a single culture. Vink’s compelling images reveal his unique view of the world – personal, incisive and timeless.
Published to accompany John Vink’s retrospective exhibition Le Fil (The Thread) at Musée de la Photographie in Charleroi, Belgium from 24 May to 21 September 2025.
The exhibition Le Fil (The thread) by John Vink explores the timeless connection between stories and life journeys, which are often intertwined. This thread, woven over decades, runs through remote valleys, periods of war, and life stories characterized by solidarity or dislocation. Vink sheds light on lives that are often invisible, unheard, and neglected, giving them a presence through his photographs.
Vink’s thread also serves as a dividing line between peace and chaos, calm and noise, safety and danger. It symbolizes the choices, mistakes, and moments he has captured or missed during his career. Each photograph is a fragment of time, a reference to an era, and a testimony to lives that continue despite obstacles.
Book : John Vink : Sidelines
Hannibal Books
Trilingual edition English-Dutch-French: ISBN 978 94 6494 188 3
Hardcover – 304 pages – 23 × 17 cm – € 55
https://hannibalbooks.be/en/sidelines
Exhibition: LE FIL – John Vink
24/05/2025 – 21/09/2025
Musée de la Photographie
11, avenue Paul Pastur, B-6032 Charleroi (Mont-sur-Marchienne)
Tel: +32 (0)71 43.58.10
Mail: [email protected]
Web: https://www.museephoto.be
