ABOUT

Photographer, alchemist & printmaker

Born in 1973 in Aix-en-Provence, France. Works and lives in Brussels.

Gilles Lorin is part of a group of contemporary photographers who embrace early photographic techniques, evoking a sense of Pictorialism transported into the modern era. Rather than aiming to capture present-day scenes, Lorin crafts artistic and timeless compositions. He carefully arranges and manipulates elements, playing with light to meticulously capture scenes through his lens. The essence of his work comes to life in the darkroom, where he experiments with various metals, chemicals, papers, and techniques to achieve the desired atmosphere. The resulting photographs often possess a painterly quality, resembling drawings or paintings, in part due to Lorin's distinctive printing technique.

Lorin's academic background in art history and classical archaeology significantly influences his work, particularly his fascination with the history of civilizations and religions. Drawing from his expertise, acquired through years of work in Asian art, Lorin incorporates a diverse range of philosophical perspectives into his art, allowing him to explore concepts of uniqueness, flawlessness, and perfection. His oeuvre reflects this eclectic blend of influences, with motifs and stylistic elements from Asian art sometimes taking center stage, while at other times, Christian or Western symbolism prevails. Through his lens, Lorin offers a deeply personal perspective on the delicate beauty of our planet, captured in his serene and aesthetically pleasing photographic compositions.

Lorin's work has garnered recognition internationally, with exhibitions spanning across Europe and the United States, and his prints finding homes in both private and public collections.

BEYOND THE IMAGE : THE PHOTOGRAPHIC OBJECT

Photography, with its rich history and diverse array of processes, stands as an incredible medium for artistic expression, offering endless possibilities for creativity and exploration. Each process may have its own unique set of challenges and rewards, but what I am primarily interested is the unique atmosphere each medium offers, and which allows me to express my vision and explore the world around me.

My work consists in exploring the intersection of traditional artisanry and contemporary photographic techniques to create tangible works of art that transcend the boundaries of conventional photography. By incorporating metals, papers, and other supports, I aim to instil my work with a sense of depth and tactile presence that cannot be achieved through digital alone.

The use of precious metals such as gold, silver, iron, and copper add a luminous quality, creating subtle variations in light and shadow that evolve with the viewer's perspective. These metals not only enhance the visual appeal of the artwork, but also challenge the notion of photography as a purely two-dimensional medium and invite to reconsider the possibilities of photographic art in the realm of tangible, tactile three-dimensional works.

In our digital age, where the immediacy and convenience of modern technology often overshadow the tactile and tangible qualities of traditional processes, I find myself drawn to the simplicity and purity of early photography. There is a certain magic in the alchemy of metals and light, a sense of wonder in watching an image slowly emerging, born from the interaction of both raw organic and inorganic materials produced by nature itself. But also, by embracing both analogue and digital techniques, I aim to create works that speak of the past, present, and future of photography, bridging the gap between tradition and innovation.

Ultimately, I see a rich language with endless possibilities.

Selected Solo Exhibitions:

Jörg Maaß Kunsthandel, Berlin (2018, 2020)

Kunkel Fine Art, Münich (2021-23)

Galerie Arthus, Brussels (2019)

La Chambre, Strasbourg (St’Art 2019)

Galerie Lamy, Brussels (2018, 2023)

Pierre Bergé & Associates, Brussels, Belgium (2017)

Katharina Rich Perlow Gallery, New York (2009)

Selected Group Exhibitions

Artcurial / Kunkel Fine Art, Münich, Linienspiel und Farbenrausch (2022)

Galerie Daltra, Geneva & Megève (2018-2023)

Galeria Valeria Bella, Milano (2018)

Gallery Elle, Zürich (2019) & St Moritz (2019-2020)

Leica Camera Asia Photo Gallery, Hong Kong (2010)

Hampshire College, Amherst, Massachusetts (2016)

Atelier PH7, Brussels (2016)

New Orleans Photo Alliance, New Orleans (2012)

Selected Fairs

Paris Photo (2021)

The Photography Show / AIPAD, New York (2017, 2018, 2019)

Paper Positions Berlin (2022)

Art Berlin (2017, 2018, 2020)

Public Collections

Bibliothèque Nationale de France (BnF), Paris

Museum of Contemporary Photography (MoCP), Columbia College, Chicago Emprise Bank, Kansas

Awards

Trinity Preparatory School of Florida Art Hall of Fame 2014

Grand Prix de la Découverte 2013 finalist, People / Portraits

International Photography Awards IPA 2012, Honorable Mention Fine Art Portraits & Honorable Mention People / Portraits

Exhibition Catalogue

Selected articles

British Journal of Photography [link]

L’oeil de la Photography / The Eye of Photography [link]

AIPAD - The Photography Show [video]

photography-now.com [link]

Phototrend [link]

Arches Paper [link]