Lilith–Lilith in da House

Approach to photography My work is meant to make people think about things in life which shouldn’t always be taken for granted. E.g. the division of roles within families, homosexuality, religion, sexuality, abuse of women/people. I work from my feminitity, but have very good contact with all my different sides including my male one. Knowing oneself thoroughly is important to be able to live a full life. Freedom and equality are very important to me and therefore in my work. Who can explain my thoughts and convictions better than I can? That’s why I create self-portraits. I know how to express my emotions, I know what I intend to depict. Often people don’t understand that I do everything by myself. It’s hard for me to work with other people around me. No, I do everything by myself. Photographs aren’t just pictures to me. I believe the beauty of photography is that it can show all sides of a person. In my opinion a photograph is good when people react to it. Sometimes people react very strongly to my work either in a positive or a negative manner. I think that’s good. They are entitled to do that. As a matter of fact I am glad when they do that. Some of my self-portraits got censored during exhibitons in The Netherlands as well in Germany. Also on the internet. When I look at the pictures which were forbidden and which were allowed I am still puzzled. I see no difference, do you understand? Censorship is based on what happens in people’s minds. It’s in the eyes of the beholder. And this is based on their background, on their own lives, on their own boundaries. Children usually react very positively to my work, they see what I mean. They don’t get distracted by ‘the flesh’. I consider this a huge compliment. Children are pure, straight. For me it’s important to be free. Many people recognize this in my work and compliment me. They admire me for my courage. Why call it courage? Everyone should be free. It’s a necessity of life. Description of the project Lilith in da House – Self-portraits in strangers’ houses Dutch Art Photographer Henriëtte van Gasteren (Sevenum, 1964), using the artist name Lilith, is a storyteller with a passion for photography. Since 2006 her self-portraits have been telling her stories. Her work has been exhibited widely throughout Europe and the Netherlands, and has been shown in the US for the first time in 2012. Through her carefully orchestrated self-portraits Lilith presents an ironic and spellbindingly stylish commentary on the image of women today. With “performances” falling somewhere between the real and apparent, her alter egos hold up a dead sharp mirror in front of women and men – calling out society’s ancient convictions. At times literally laying herself, and not just her cards, on the proverbial table, she aims to discover and expose the maximum delicacy within any human being. Lilith creates self-portraits around her own home. A house shows who we are and over 5 years Lilith shared her home with her audience. Every corner of the room appears in her extraordinary photography. In 2012 the time for change had come. For her latest series of self-portraits home owners unknown to her have offered their houses as sets. After she contacted the newspapers dozens of house owners offered their homes for her new self-portraits. Lilith visited the houses, often without the presence of the owner, their faith in her shown by giving her their house keys and carte blanche to use the rooms as she wished. People find it intriguing that she is making photo’s of herself in their house during their absence, the fact that she is walking around in her naked butt is an added bonus ;). Lilith, in both her life and her work communicates with the things discovered around her so in these new and strange sites the artistic possibilities explode with sometimes surprising results. Her photography changes but still remains unmistakably ‘Lilith’. This is a project which she hopes to extend even further by traveling abroad to use homes. Artist statement Mankind is vulnerability incarnate. One can easily wound this creature, severely if one wishes. This is frightening. What lies around the next corner? Today’s online revolution makes this question even more loaded. A whole new world is at the disposal of people with an evil mind. At the same time kind-heartedness is being given wings like never before. For me as an artist vulnerability represents the ultimate goodness. My art, every single self-portrait, is a reconnoitring expedition to discover maximum delicacy carried by a human being. Every image is a step forward. Through my photography I rediscover faith in humanity.