Emilie Hudig (1973) studied Cultural Anthropology and Media and Culture at the University of Amsterdam and documentary and portrait photography at the Fotoacademie in Amsterdam.
Philosophy - View on life
Thanks to my grandfather Emile van Lennep my name is Emilie and thanks to him I am photographer.
He gave me his old camera, a Minolta with a beautiful 50mm 1.4 lens and a portrait lens.
During my studies in visual anthropology at Amsterdam University I started to photograph more and more.
I also learned an important lesson in life from my grandfather. It happened during a discussion about the cult film "Kids" by Harmony Korine in 1995.
The film is about a group of footloose young people in New York.
It is a raw and realistically filmed portrait full of drink, drugs and sex. At a certain point a boy infects a young girl with HIV/AIDS. I told him how people were so shocked that they walked out of the cinema. And I too, a 22 year old student, saw the rest of the film with distaste.
My 80 year old grandfather was not shocked. His analysis of the film was wise and powerful. He was more forgiving than I. He did not judge these young people, but engaged in their world, and placed their behaviour in a broader perspective.
His wisdom and the fact that all his life he had felt engaged with what was going on in the world, still inspires me.
I seek through my photography and projects to understand the world from a non-judgmental perspective of sincere interest and engagement, exploring and looking to the larger picture.
Exhibitions: FOAM 3h, Museum van Loon, Les Rencontres d'Arles.
Awards: Zilveren Camera photostory of the year with In Control (2009)
Selected for Reflexions Masterclass a two- year international photography masterclass, curated by Giorgia
Fiorio and Gabriel Bauret. Residencies at several institutions in Europe.
Several grants: publication grant, project grant Mondriaanfonds, exhibition grant Amsterdam Fund for the Arts.
