Dear moon, January 18th
part of LIGHT exhibition in Galerie Pouloeuf“Sunlight plays a vital role in our lives. In the depths of winter—the darkest time of the year—photographer Van der Wal travelled to the far north of Norway for a month-long stay. But what happens when the most essential tool for a photographer—light—is absent?
For a full month, Van der Wal lived in twilight. The only light she saw was the soft blue glow of the sky when the sun remained below the horizon. After thirty days without direct sunlight, she saw it return for the first time—not in the sky itself, but as a reflection on the wall of her room.
The lack of light forced Van der Wal to slow down her working process. She could only photograph during the rare moments when there was enough light. She had to use long exposure times and carefully choose the right moments to shoot. This stillness and slower pace are evident in her photographs.
For a month, Van der Wal lived according to the rhythms of nature. The experience brought her a sense of calm. With all distractions removed, one simple question remained: when would the sun rise again?
This is what she hopes to share with the viewer—an invitation to pause and reflect on the natural world around us, and to appreciate the small, often unnoticed moments.”
galerie poulleuf, 9 november 2024