As every year, members of the London Independent Photography Greenwich group are showcasing some of their work at the Greenwich Gallery.

I am going to present two images from the 'Holi' series, which was taken over 3 different years at the Hare Krishna Temple near Watford. The festival is traditionally celebrated in India at Spring (also known as the festival of Colours). Fascinated by the joyful transformation after festival goes throw colour pigments at one another, I decided to create a pop up studio and invited the temple visitors to have a portrait taken. Have a look at 'Holi' on my website.

Private View: Thursday, 07th June, 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Venue: The Greenwich Gallery at 
Linear House, Peyton Place, London SE10 8RS
 

Opening times: Mo - Fri, 9am - 5pm / Sat - Sun, 12pm - 4pm

There will also be a special critics evening: Thursday, 14th June, 6.30-8.30pm

A new fLIP magazine is on the horizon. This year’s Spring issue carries the title 'Memories' and it includes images from my portrait series with the same title.

 


‘Memories’ is inspired by a quote in a movie by David Lynch ('The Straight Story'): "The worst thing of being old is remembering being young."  It started as a personal project in 2016 with an image of Daphne Davis, which has been nominated and exhibited numerous times in 2017 (including at the ‘BJP Portrait of Britain’ exhibition). The image above is of Nick Hague, taken whilst remembering his baby granddaughter as she was bathed in the kitchen sink.
 

fLIP is an independent magazine, which is published three times per year by the London Independent Photographers (LIP). It is available at specialized stores across London, including the Tate Modern Bookshop, National Portrait, Serpentine Gallery Bookshop, Whitechapel Gallery Bookshop and many more.

Proud announcement: my latest portrait project with the title 'Blind Spots' has been nominated to be among the best photo projects created in 2017 and is shortlisted for the KOLGA AWARD 2018 in the conceptual photography category!!!

Twelve images from this series will be on display during the KOLGA TBILISI PHOTO Festival from 5th - 11th May.


Kolga Tbilisi Photo 2018 is exceptional for the number of powerful photography projects covering a wide range of topics and taken by the photographers from around the world.

Venue for the award exhibition: Art Arena, Dodo Abashidze Street 10, Tbilisi, Georgia 

Opening event: Friday, 4th May 2017 from 8pm


About 'Blind Spots':
For this project the sitters are guided back into childhood memories and then photographed whilst remembering a challenging situation. In such moments children create negative opinions about themselves and the world such as 'I am worthless', life is unfair' or 'nobody loves me'. Later in life we are often unaware of the origin of such self-limiting believes, yet we hold on to them and carry them as a lifelong burden. All of us have certain blind spots, areas of endeavor or personal issues that we ignore because of the painful doubts or feelings of futility that they arouse.
The final result is aiming to shine light into our hidden viewpoints; the process of photographing the upcoming emotions created space for self-reflection.

   

Proud announcement: with support of the Meta House, a German-Cambodian cultural centre, and the Goethe Institute we are going to re-exhibit a selection of my images of people, living in the capital city of Cambodia.

In case you are in Phnom Penh, please come to the opening event:
Date & time: 16th March 2018, 6pm - 10pm
Venue: Meta House, 37 Samdach Sothearos Blvd (3), Phnom Penh, Cambodia

The photos in this show are taken for chapter 4 in Dr. Michael Waibel’s latest photo book ‘Phnom Penh: CAPITAL CITY’. In this chapter, a variety of residents have been asked to comment on their impressions and relationships to the city they call home. I wanted to take a closer look behind the facade and explore how people use their personal space. The outcome is a collection of enticing insights into homes and workplaces spanning rich and poor, younger and older generations, migrants and those who have lived there all their lives and helped shaping the city. In case you are not in Cambodia, here is an image preview.

The book 'Phnom Penh CAPITAL CITY' is available on Amazon (ISBN: 9-789924 915102)

Lets end this year in style: 15 years ago I had one of my first exhibition experiences at the Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane. Coming again to the same venue is closing a cycle for me and looking back at so many years of photographic adventures leaves me very proud. Come and celebrate with me at the 29th exhibition for LIP members*.

Opening event: Monday, 11.12.17 from 6.30pm

Venue: Old Truman Brewery, Unit 11, Dray Walk, London E1 6QL (located at street level, off Brick Lane [MAP])
Opening times:  Wed - Sun, 11am - 6pm; Mon 11am - 5pm; Tue 11am - 3pm

The image is from the Madonna triptych, created in 2016 for the ICONIC exhibition in Palermo.  It is inspired by Madonna's video for her song 'Prayers'.

* LIP (London Independent Photography) is annually celebrating the best work of its members to be shared with a wider public audience. A series of talks and events will feature throughout the exhibition period, with leading figures from the photographic world including: Dewi Lewis (photo book publisher); Simon Roberts (landscape photographer with an emphasis on human geography); Tanya Houghton, presenting her project ‘A Migrant’s Tale’; a panel discussion on 'The Street Today', and more.

Please visit me: I am going to sit in the gallery on 7th December from 5pm - 7pm, followed by the talk of social photographer Tanya Houghton from 7pm (the talk costs £10, you can book here)

Another exhibition opportunity arises for Daphne Davis (pictured): her image has been selected by artist Julie Cockburn for the annual Portrait Salon event in 2017. Now in it's seventh year, this exhibition will showcase portraits from photographers that submitted to and were rejected by the Taylor Wessing Photographic Price this year. The images will be displayed outdoors, but we will have the chance to celebrate in the function room.


The event takes place on Thursday, 16th November 2017 from 6pm until late
Venue: The Pub in the Park, 19 Martello Street, London Fields, London E8 3PE


About the image: 96 year old Daphne Davis was the first person I photographed for the series 'Memories', inspired by a quote from the movie 'The Straight Story' by David Lynch: "The worst thing about being old is remembering what it was being young". Daphne remarks that she hasn't had a professional portrait taken before in her lifetime, except for her wedding photograph over 60 years ago.

 

The magazine 'British Journal of Photography' is annually organizing a competition and exhibition, which showcases the many faces of modern Britain. In partnership with JCDecaux, an out-of-home advertising company, this is the biggest public outdoor showcase of contemporary photography.

I am trilled to announce that one on my images is among the 100 selected portraits. Throughout September those images will be displayed on high streets, roadsides and in transport hubs, visible to an audience of millions.

About the image 'Memories': 96 year old Daphne Davis has lived in the same house in Edgware since 1954, the year she got married. Daphne remarks that she hasn't had a professional portrait taken before in her lifetime, except for her wedding photograph.

The image is from the project 'Once upon a Time', which is inspired by a quote from the movie 'The Straight Story' by David Lynch: "The worst thing about being old is remembering what it was being young". However, when I ask my sitters about the past, what comes up is the stories they cherish, the people they most love and the magical places they visited.

The series is still in development, more to come soon.

As every year, the members of the Greenwich group of LIP are showcasing their work at Greenwich Gallery.

For this years exhibition I have chosen on of my favorite images from my work in Vietnam. It was created for a book commission on Hanoi City. The picture is a portrait of 25 year old ‘Le Dinh Hung’; he is running his own motorbike workshop in Ba Dinh District. Hung knows everything about his trade and claims he can build any type of custom made motorbikes on request.

The opening event: Thursday, 17th August, 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Venue: The Greenwich Gallery at 
Linear House, Peyton Place, London SE10 8RS
 

Opening times: Mo - Fri, 9am - 5pm / Sat - Sun, 12pm - 4pm

There will also be a special critics evening: Thursday, 24th August, 6.30-8.30pm 

A new fLIP magazine came out. Fresh from the printer, this years Summer issue carries the title 'Storytelling'. Four of my images from the series '100 Faces of Viet Nam' are included, telling the story of 4 young people from Hanoi, Hue and Hoi An.

About the pictures: In the years from 2013 to 2016 I was commissioned to take photographs of people in various cities of Viet Nam. In each place I visited around 30 people in their homes or at work and asked them about their life. The images are forming one chapter in four books, which otherwise documents the urban developments of Vietnam's fast growing cities - in between ancient traditions & modernity. If you want to find out more about the project or the books, please get in touch.

fLIP is an independent magazine, which is published three times per year by the London Independent Photographers (LIP). It is available at various stockists across London, including the Tate Modern Bookshop, National Portrait, Serpentine Gallery Bookshop, Whitechapel Gallery Bookshop and many more.

I would like to welcome you to my brand new website! Over the last years I have grown and so has my portfolio and experience. It was time to create a new 'shop window' that reflects that. And here it is - please visit astridschulzcostume.work

I hope you will agree with me: the new site is easier to navigate and ultimately much more fun. And finally, it is mobile friendly :) Please test it for me and let me know if there is anything that still needs improving. 

As I am in the process of renewal, I will do the same with my photography website in the coming month. Watch this space and come back for more!


PS: It has been quite a journey up to this point. Lots of memories came up whilst digging out the wonderful projects throughout my creative history which are featured on my new costume site. I would like to thank those who worked with me and I wish plenty more opportunities will come up for all of us.

I am trilled to announce the outcome of the Kolga Award in 2017: Various images of mine have been nominated to be among the best projects; they will be exhibited during the KOLGA TBILISI PHOTO Festival and celebrated at the opening event on 5th May.

This year the jury went for another selection of 10 images from my documentary series '100 Faces of Viet Nam'. The images were taken from 2013 - 2016 and demonstrate scenes of life and work in the cities of Vietnam.

Another nomination went in favor of the portrait 'Mbaye' from the series 'Made in Senegal' in the category 'One Shot'. This body of work is depicting small scale food producers; it was created during my artist residency in Saint Lewis, Senegal.

However, I am particularly proud about the nomination of 'Daphne' (from the series 'Once upon a Time'). This is a brand new project, dealing with memories on how it felt to be young.

Venue for the award exhibition: 14 Kostava Street, Art-space at the Hippodrome Park, Tamarashvili Str.13, Tbilisi, Georgia
Opening event: 5th May 2017 at 8pm
Professional week: 5th - 11th May 2017

For further information about the festival please click here: https://www.kolga.ge

Another photo book is about to be ready!!! Michael Waibel's latest publication on urban city development is going to be in print this week and will be available from 16th March. This time we were exploring the recent developments in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

As you might know, in the years from 2013 to 2016 I was commissioned to take photographs of people in major cities of Vietnam. In addition to this, we are now proud to announce book number 5, for which I traveled to Cambodia's capital city last year in September.

With support of the Goethe Institute and the Meta House, a German-Cambodian cultural centre, we are now preparing our informative book launch event, which will also feature a selection of my images in the exhibition hall (image preview).

The show will last for one month from 16th March to 17th April 2017
Venue: Meta House, 37 Samdach Sothearos Blvd (3), Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Exhibition opening and launch event: 16th March, 6pm 
Talks and guest speakers:Nico Mesterharm (Meta House), Astrid Schulz, Michael Waibel

Statement:
'The photos of this exhibition are taken for chapter 4 in Dr Michael Waibel’s latest photo book ‘Phnom Penh: CAPITAL CITY’. In this chapter, a variety of residents have been asked to comment on their impressions and relationships to the city they call home. Astrid wanted to take a closer look behind the facade and explore how people use their personal space. The outcome is a collection of enticing insights into homes and workplaces spanning rich and poor, younger and older generations, migrants and those who have lived there all their lives and helped shaping the city'.

The book 'Phnom Penh CAPITAL CITY' is available on Amazon (ISBN: 9-789924 915102)

Does anyone of you speak Korean? Please please help me translate :)))

Perhaps you remember my creative photography project 'Playing Cards' from 2014, which is playfully observing our daily routine on mobile devices. It seems that mobile phones and tablets have become our new best friends, we never leave them unattended. But what happens to the seemingly endless stream of data we leave behind? All this private information we post and tweet about our lives; where is it really going? Who is the one that is pulling the strings???

The project has been picked up by the South-Korean cultural magazine 'Chaeg' which is dedicated to the world of books, with special care for contemporary photography. The 'Playing Cards' series is featured on the cover and the article is spread over 4 double pages. If only I could read the text... :)))

Credits: Photography & Styling: Astrid Schulz   /  Make-up: Mary Ellen Lamb  /  Hair: Michael Ptootch & Sophia Eltayeb at salon Flaxon Ptootch (Chaeng ISBN: 9-772383-750001)

Each year the members group 'London Independent Photographers' (LIP) is celebrating the best work of their members in an annual group exhibition to be appreciated by each other and by the general public. This time we will be in a gallery in London's East End.



I am going to join the show with 4 images from my portrait series from Vietnam, a project which is was commissioned for a number of photo books. The series has been chosen for the LensCulture finalist award in 2016 and got voted to be among the best documentary photo projects at the KOLGA AWARD exhibition in Tbilisi, Georgia. 



Venue: Escacio Gallery, 159 Bethnal Green Road, London, E2 7DG


Opening times: Tuesday – Saturday: 1pm – 7pm, 
Sunday: 1pm - 5pm



The member's private view takes place on 15th November 2016, from 6.30pm - 8.30pm

Proud announcement: one of my images from the ‘Madonna’ series (on the right) has been selected for the legendary ICONIC 2016 exhibition in Palermo. The show features portraits & artwork inspired by the 'Queen of Pop' and hosts a section of photography with subjects that are influenced by Madonna's career and status as an icon.

Opening event: Saturday, 15th October 2016 at 6pm

Venue: BOBEZ Arte Contemporanea, Via Isidoro La Lumia 22, Palermo 

Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am - 12pm & 5pm - 7.30pm, 
Monday by appointment only

Hereby I would like to thank Mary Ellen Lamb (make-up), Gabrielle Guy (photography assistance), and especially Stephanie Newton for modelling as Madonna.

Once again, the is an update for the legendary photo books by Michel Waibel in Vietnam. This is the third edition of the book 'Tp. Ho Chi Minh MEGA City' and updates an earlier version from 2014. It takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the familiar and lesser-known aspects of this bustling city to witness its vibrancy and dynamic changes of the past years.

The event is organized by the Goethe Institute of HCMC and features an expert talk on the challenges of sustainable urban development in Vietnam. Two lucky winners will walk away with a complementary copy via a book lottery.


In case you are in Saigon, come early, the venue is usually quite full...

 And if you don't fit in - no worries - here is a preview of my chapter 'People in the City'.

Book launch event: Sunday, 9th October, 10.00am - 12.00pm

Venue: Salon Van Hoa Ca Phe Thu Bay, 
1st floor, Trung Nguyen Café, 19B Pham Ngoc Thach, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City

Afterwards, the book can be bought on Amazon (ISBN: 978-604-94-9365-2).

As every year, the members of the Greenwich group of LIP are showcasing their work at Greenwich Gallery. This year I have chosen to exhibit another image from my work in Vietnam, which I created during a 2month artist residency in 2013. The picture is called ‘Seashells’; it is a portrait of ‘Chau Thi No’. Mrs No has been boiling tiny seashells on Con Hen Island for over 30 years. This occupation was passed on from her ancestors. View more images from the series 'Made in Vietnam'.

The opening event: Thursday, 11th August, 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Venue: The Greenwich Gallery at 
Linear House, Peyton Place, London SE10 8RS
 

Opening times: Mo - Fri, 9am - 5.30 / Sat - Sun, 1pm - 5pm

The series ‘Farmers' has been created in honour of micro food production households and features people who are physically involved in growing or producing food from their homes and gardens. We often forget how labour intensive it is to produce what we eat. Especially in the Western world the connection between food and nature seems to get lost. The aim of the project is to re-establish a relationship with the origin of food provisions. The series will be continued in Latin America.

Concept136Film cordially invites you and your friends to the premiere of the short high concept film ‘Death Lies on Her’ in an exclusive location in central London. The private screening will be followed by a Q&A session with the writer Afzaal Mauthoor and writer/director/producer Uppili Raghavachari. Please also welcome the rest of the crew and the talents Ellie Tanner and Chris Edgerley.

‘Death Lies on Her’ is an electrifying high concept debut film - a tragic Shakespearean love story with a deadly twist. I am the costume designer & supervisor – can’t wait to see the finished film.
Venue: The Hospital Club, 24 Endell Street, WC2H 9HQ
Time: 14 July, 2016 (18.00 – 21.00)

After Q&A session there will be a networking drinks reception for those who like to party into the night.
 Tickets are available for those who are not cast or crew: please order here

Proud announcement: 
my portrait images from Viet Nam are voted to be among the best photo projects created in 2015 and are shortlisted for the KOLGA AWARD in the documentary category!!!

Eight images were chosen by international jury members and they will be exhibited during the photography festival during May 2016 in Tbilisi, Capital City of Georgia.

The images have been commissioned in between 2013 - 2015 and are planned to be published as a portrait book with the title '100 Faces of Viet Nam' in 2017.

And there is more good news: another one of my images got nominated for the category 'One Shot'. The picture of 'Lassana, the Poultry Breeder' was taken during my artist residency at Waaw in Saint Louis, Senegal (from the series 'Made in Senegal', 2015).

Venue for the exhibition: 14 Kostava Street, Tbilisi, Georgia
Opening event: 12 May, 2016, from 6pm
Festival duration: 12 -19 May 2016

Further information can be found here: http://kolga.ge

There will also be an overall winner for each category. Please keep your fingers crossed for me :)))

Another exciting announcement: my 'Hairdressers' have been selected to highlight the opening event at the German Hairstylists convention in Saarbrücken. The annual convention is held by the Trade Cooperation and supported by the Landesinnung Friseure and Kosmetik (Guild for Hairstylists and Beauty).

Venue: Handwerkskammer des Saarlandes (Trade Cooperation of Saarland), Hohenzollernstrasse 47 - 49, 66117 Saarbrücken, Germany
Opening event: Thursday, 14th April 2016, from 6.00pm

The series 'Hairdressers’ is inspired by the novel Egalia's Daughters in which the protagonists swapped gender based roles. The images are questioning our perception on what is regarded as ‘normal’ and what is ‘acceptable’ in our society. Perhaps it’s time for men to get emancipated, when it comes to style?

The final photo book is ready!!! This is the last one out of three publications, dealing with urban city development and modern life in Vietnam. It is finally printed and will be available from end of March.

In the years 2013 / 2014 & 2015 I was commissioned to take photographs of people in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hue and Hoi An. In each place I visited around 30 people in their homes or at work and asked them about their life in Vietnam. The outcome is forming one chapter in each book, which otherwise documents the urban developments of Vietnam's fast growing cities - in between ancient traditions and culture. The latest photo book is describing the urban challenges of the coastal city Da Nang, followed by the towns Hoi An and Hue.
In case you are lucky and currently in Vietnam, there are two launch events you could attend:

The first one will take place on 28th March at 7pm
Venue: Da Nang Library, 46 Bach Dang, Da Nang City.

The second one is on 29th March at 7pm
Venue: Goethe Institute Hanoi, 56-58 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Hanoi. Click here for information.

Being involved in this project was an absolute privilege; it brought the people of Vietnam close to my heart and I will never forget the hospitality and generosity I experienced. I hope I made you curious to visit Vietnam yourself. Or buy the book; it can soon be ordered via Amazon. It is published at 'Fine Art Publishing House', Hanoi, by editor Michael Waibel. ISBN 978-604-78-4045-8

Just on time for the beginning of the ‘Year of the Monkey: my images from Vietnam have been awarded once again. I’m delighted to announce that the international jury has selected me to be a Finalist at the LensCulture Exposure Award!

LensCulture received submissions from photographers in over 100 countries. Being one of the finalists is a great honor and personal accomplishment – I am very proud that my work has been chosen as one of the best of the best! Please have a look at my LensCulture portfolio.

The featured portfolio 100 Faces of Viet Nam is showing a selection of portraits across Viet Nam, representing a society, which is on the brink of change. It shows the people from a developing country caught between tradition and modernity. These photographs exist because of a commission for 3 photo books: I went out there 3 times on behalf of Michael Waibel and the Goethe Institute Hanoi. Last not least, they also exist because of my love for this country and for the wonderful people I met during this assignment. Thank you, all of you!!!

By the way, the Winners & Finalists of the 2015 Exposure Awards will be exhibited at 
Somerset House during Photo London — London’s Premier Photography Fair!

Venue & date: Somerset House, The Strand, London WC2R 1LA, 19 - 22 May 2016

Announcement: This month I was honored for my book project 100 Faces of Viet Nam by the organization Social Documentary Network and featured on their SPOTLIGHT newsletter.

Their comment: "At a time of so much tension in the world, it is heartening to see an exhibit about a country experiencing a renaissance of human potential 40 years after fighting and winning a devastating war against the U.S. and has now come to be our friend. Schulz's photographs are heavily influenced by her theater and TV background as evidenced by the impeccable composition and lighting of each frame. She also adds  intimate and important details about her subjects. Astrid's words and photos together weave an important story about the resiliency of the human spirit".

The featured portfolio 100 Faces of Viet Nam is showing a selection of portraits across Viet Nam, representing a society, which is on the brink of change. It shows the people from a developing country caught between tradition and modernity. Photographed in 5 different cities from the North to the South, these portraits allow a view into people’s homes and work places plus an insight into their lives and concerns – some of them are unexpected...

Have a look at: http://socialdocumentary.net/exhibit/Astrid_Schulz/3242

As already announced, the Portrait Salon selection from 2015 will travel to The Reminders Photography Stronghold Gallery in Tokyo and one of my portraits from 'Made in Senegal' has been selected to be exhibited.

In case you are near Japan, this is how you get there:
Venue: Reminders Photography Stronghold
Address: 131-0032, 2-38-5, Higashi-mukojima, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
Opening: Saturday, 13th February, 1pm

This exhibition was first shown at Embassy Tea Gallery in London in November. It shows prints from photographers that submitted to and were rejected by the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize.

News from the costume front: I finally received some images of a rather interesting assignment. In September 2015 I was hired to design and create 3 characters from the 15th Century Ming Dynasty in China.

Have you heard about Admiral Zheng He? He was commanded expeditionary voyages and 'discovered' new territories such as Southeast Asia, South Asia, Western Asia and East Africa from 1405 to 1433. His larger ships stretched 400 feet in length (Columbus's Santa Maria, for comparison, was 85 feet). During his first voyage he commanded 62 ships and 27,800 men! A fascinating story indeed.
The documentary inserts were created at Camberwell Studios and are going to be used as parts of a contemporary drama. It will be interesting to watch the final result in 2016...

Magic will great you on the cover of the next fLIP magazine - or is it an illusion?

fLIP is an independent magazine, which is published three times per year by the London Independent Photographers (LIP).  This years winter issue (no 32) carries the title 'Illusion' and is featuring one of my photographs on its cover.


The image is called ‘Dove: looking for work’. It is from the series Magic Man, which is telling a story about a magician, that has a 'week of bad luck'. His rabbit is refusing to come out of the hat and his magic tricks are going wrong. But hope is on the horizon: a dove appears which is looking for work... Is the tide about to turn for our magic man?

fLIP magazine 
is available at various stockists across London, including the Tate Modern Bookshop, National Portrait, Serpentine Gallery Bookshop, Whitechapel Gallery Bookshop and many more.

Another exhibition opportunity arises: one of my Senegal portraits (food series) has been selected for the Portrait Salon exhibition. Now in it’s fifth year, this annual exhibition will be exhibiting a selection of portraits from photographers that submitted to and were rejected by the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize in 2015.

Visitors to the print exhibition will be able to vote on their favourite three portraits. Please come and help me win :)

The private view takes place on Thursday, 19th November 2014 from 6.00pm – 9.00pm.
The gallery opening times are 11.00qm – 6.00pm
Venue: EMBASSY TEA GALLERY

, 195-205 Union Street, 
Bankside, London SE1 0LN


On Saturday 21st November 2015 Portrait Salon will be collaborating with Miniclick for a ‘The Heart Grows Fonder’ event at The Embassy Tea Gallery that will include all the portraits selected in this year’s Portrait Salon. Participants will have the chance to create their own, unique Portrait Salon ‘zine’.

In February 2016 the Portrait Salon selection will travel to The Reminders Photography Stronghold Gallery in Tokyo. Will report in time…

"Maangi fii" means "I am here" in Wolof, the local language in Senegal. Well, I am not, but some of my artwork still is. So, as I am proud to have been part of the artist residency community at Waaw in Saint Louis, I am happy to announce that there will be a retrospective of previous artist and my work will be included.

The picture on the right is a pattern, which is part of a paper carpet with the title 'Made in Senegal'. It shows the hands of a local woman whilst producing Thiakry, a millet based breakfast cereal.  The motive echos the bold and colourful fabrics seen all over Africa, whereas the paper carpet itself is 'covering' for various types of foods that are produced in Saint Louis.

Venue: Galérie Éthiopiques, rue Khalifa Ababacar Sy x Potin, Saint Louis, Senegal


Opening times: 11am – 1pm & 7pm – 7pm

Other artwork on display has been created by Carl Fredrik Koltermann, Maya Portner and Tobias Richardson. With this exhibition Waaw is going to open its doors again for a new season of international artist.

Once again, LIP is celebrating outstanding photography of their members in a gallery in South London, not far from the Tate Modern. The annual exhibition aims to provide a platform for members to exhibit their best work, to be viewed by each other and by the general public.

This time I am going to join the show with 4 images from my ‘Playing Card’ series, a project which is playfully observing our daily routine on mobile devices.
The series was voted to be amongst the best photo projects of the year 2015 and exhibited at the KOLGA AWARD exhibition in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Venue: EMBASSY TEA GALLERY

195-205 Union Street, 
Bankside, London SE1 0LN

Opening times: Monday – Saturday: 11am – 7pm
Sunday: 11am - 6pm

The member's private view takes place on 20th October 2015, from 6.00pm - 9.00pm

It is my great pleasure to announce that on 23 Sep. 2015 the photo book I have been working on in 2014 has been honored with the "Bùi Xuân Phái 2015 - Love for Hanoi" Award.

Since 2008 the newspaper 'Sports & Culture' of Vietnam News Agency together with the descendants of the painter Bùi Xuân Phái awards this prestigious prize to projects, which are dedicated to increase awareness of the beauty of Hanoi.

The editor Dr. Michael Waibel is the first German to receive this prestigious award. I am proud to have been part of it.

fLIP is an independent magazine, which is published three times per year by the London Independent Photographers (LIP).  The current issue, no 31, which carries the title 'Neighbourhood', is featuring three images from my series 'Made in Senegal'. The images were created in St. Louis, the former capital city of Senegal, during a four week residency.

The portrait series shows people who make a making a living from small scale food production businesses or livestock keeping.  I would like to acknowledge the people who are directly involved in local food production and highlight their importance for  their communities. The project was started in Vietnam in 2013 and will be continued in Latin America in 2016.


fLIP magazine is the official voice of LIP, which has over 600 members and it aims to support, inspire and inform its readers by featuring members' photographic work with articles that are engaging and entertaining. It 
is available at various stockists across London, including the Tate Modern Bookshop, National Portrait, Serpentine Gallery Bookshop, Whitechapel Gallery Bookshop and many more.

As every year, the members of the Greenwich group of LIP are showcasing their work at Greenwich Gallery. This year I have chosen to exhibit another image from my work in Vietnam, which was created during a 2month residency in 2013. The image is depicting ‘Tran Thi Ngoc Hoa’, selling lekima (egg fruit) and water apples from her garden. More images from the series 'Made in Vietnam'.

The private view takes place on Saturday, 3th August 2014 from 6.30pm - 8.30pm.
Venue: The Greenwich Gallery at 
Linear House, Peyton Place, London SE10 8RS
 


Opening times: Mo - Fri, 9am - 5.30pm & Sat - Sun, 1pm - 5pm

The series ‘Farmers' has been created in honour of micro food production households and features people who are physically involved in growing or producing food from their homes and gardens. We often forget how labour intensive it is to produce what we eat. Especially in the Western world the connection between food and nature seems to get lost. The aim of the project is to re-establish a relationship with the origin of food provisions.

Another photo book - the last one from a series of three - is in the planning. Soon I will be heading to Vietnam again, this time to the centre of the country.

The focus will be on Da Nang, Hoi An and Hue as the 3 major coastal towns. Like in the previous books, I will explore how people use their personal space, either at work or in their homes.

The book is partly supported by 'Goethe Institute Hanoi' and is going to be published by the beginning of 2016. Watch this space for further announcements...

The series ‘Hairdressers’ is ready to go on the wall in  Saarbrücken, Germany.

With generous support by photographer Jörg Karrenbauer, ARTgenosse Albert Herbig and Hahnemühle FineArt paper, my 12 guys in curlers will enjoy a comeback at Sali e Tabacchi in May 2015.


Venue address: Galerie Sali E Tabacchi, Feldmannstrasse 144, 66119 Saarbrücken, Germany
Opening Times: Mo, Wed & Fri: 4.00pm – 6.00pm

Private View: Friday, 08.05.15, from 7.00pm



The series ‘Hairdressers’ is inspired by the novel Egalia's Daughters in which the protagonists swapped gender based roles. One particular scene stuck to my mind: men were sitting at a beauty salon, with curlers in their hair and beards. Or waxing of their chest hair, having face masks and so forth. I began to explore: how do men feel and act when being confronted with characteristic female beauty treatment?

The project exists in collaboration with hair & make-up artist Konnie Daniel, who created wonderful effects with her fabulous collection of vintage curlers. For a preview click here.

Proud announcement: 
my 'Playing Cards' series was voted to be amongst the best photo projects of the year 2015!!!


Eight images (from a deck of 13) were chosen by international jury members for the KOLGA AWARD in the category 'Conceptual Photo Project'.


And if this in not enough, another one of my images was nominated for the category 'One Shot'. The picture was taken during my artist residency at Waaw in Saint Louis, Senegal.

The chosen images will be exhibited from 1st May at the KOLGA AWARD exhibition, which takes place in Tbilisi, Georgia.

There will also be an overall winner for each category. Please keep your fingers crossed for me :)))

 

Proud announcement for the third round: the occult mystery film-opera 'Sunken Garden’ by Dutch composer Michel van der Aa and best-selling author David Mitchell (Cloud Atlas) is having a come back at the Opera de Lyon. I was designing the costumes for both, the film as well as for the stage performance - the production took place from 2012 – 2013.

The event is a combination between life performance, 2D documentary style film inserts and a 3D film backdrop throughout the 2nd half of the opera. It was co-commissioned by the English National Opera, the Barbican Centre in London, the Toronto Luminato Festival, the Holland Festival and the Opera de Lyon.

Pictures from the world premiere in London (2013) as well as stills from the film inserts can be seen at this link: http://www.astridschulz.com/sunken-garden/

As previously announced, some of the wonderful people I photographed in Vietnam will still be on display in a London based Vietnamese coffee shop.



I have chosen seven new images for March and April, afterwards they will be swapped for another selection of portraits. The series 'Farmers' were part of a larger body of work, which I created during my artist residency in 2013. After being exhibited in Hue and Hanoi, the images were shipped to London and since waiting to see the light of day again.

In order to celebrate, please join me on Saturday, 7 March at 3.00 for an informal ‘caphe’ meeting. 



Venue: Caphe House at 114 Bermondsey Street, Bermondsey, London SE1 3TX 


Opening times: 
Mon - Fri: 8am – 5.00pm

 / Sat: 9am – 5.00pm / Sun: closed


About the images: the project has been created in honour of micro food production households and features people who are physically involved in growing or producing food from their homes and gardens. We often forget how labour intensive it is to produce what we eat. Especially in the Western world the connection between food and nature seems to get lost. Therefore I visited small-scale farmers and family run production businesses and took portraits of people with their products in order to re-establish a relationship with the origin of food provisions.

Proud announcement: my recent Vietnam commission for the second photo book, this time about the city Hanoi, is finally printed and will be available from March.



For this book I photographed between 30-40 individual people and families at their homes and asked them about their relationship to Hanoi. The outcome is forming one chapter in this book, which otherwise documents the developments of Vietnam's capital City, full of ancient traditions and culture. You can see a selection of 'People of Hanoi' on my web site. 



In case you are in Vietnam, the launch event will take place in Hanoi on 6 March at 6pm
Venue: Goethe Institute Hanoi, 56-58 Nguyen Thai Hoc Hanoi, Vietnam). Click here for information.



However, the photo book can also be ordered at Amazon; it is published at 'Fine Art Publishing House', Hanoi, Vietnam, by editor Michael Waibel. The ISBN No is 978-604-78-1965-2

Announcement: my artist residency in Senegal is soon coming to its final stage.  The preparations for the final photography exhibition is well on its way. I will be showing 20 portraits, created in Saint Louis, alongside a small selection of images from the series 'Made in Vietnam'.

Venue: galérie Éthiopiques, rue Khalifa Ababacar Sy x Potin, Saint Louis du Senegal

Opening party: Thursday,  12 February 2015, 5pm - 8pm
Opening times: daily except Sunday, 10am - 6pm

The focus of this exhibition is on small scale farmers, family run food production businesses as well as livestock keepers, highlighting their importance for local communities. I would like to acknowledge the people who are directly involved in food production and thoroughly rely on making a living from the 'fruits' of their hands. The project was started in Vietnam in 2013 and I am now investigating local food traditions in different continents (the next one will be in Latin America).

"We often forget how labor intensive it is to produce what we eat. Especially in the Western world the connection between food and nature seems to get lost. With my images I would like to reestablish a relationship with the origin of food provisions".

Link for viewing a selection of the images: www.astridschulz.com/senegal/

More than a year after my productive time in Central Vietnam, I am returning to my project on local small scale 'food production'. This time I am invited for a further Artist Residency at Waaw in Saint-Louis in Senegal.

Intention of the project: we often forget how labor intensive it is to produce what we eat. Especially in the Western world the connection between food and nature seems to get lost. Therefore I am going to visit fisherman and small-scale farmers as well as family run production businesses in the region around Saint Louis. For the duration of 3 weeks I will take portraits of people with their products in order to re-establish a relationship with the origin of food provisions.

Waaw is an artists' residence, which aims to promote Senegalese and African culture and to facilitate cultural exchange by bringing people together for work or study. The main focus is on art and design. Waaw provides a work base and accommodation for creative people seeking inspiration in the local environment and culture.

My time in Saint-Louis starts on 16^th January and I am working towards an exhibition, which opens mid February. The exhibition is going to feature a series of portraits, featuring people who are physically involved with growing or producing Senegalese food including fishing or life stock keeping. Next to the local portraits I will also exhibit some of the images, which I created in Vietnam in 2013.

Further information will follow in time...

Christmas party at the legendary Flaxon Ptootch hair salon: come and get your 'Playing Cards'!

The project itself is a collaboration between myself and the fabulous team at the Flaxon Ptootch hair salon: together we created a set of playing cards. We wish to have them ready for the event and additionally exhibit the images for one month, starting on 11th December.  

Please come and join us for entertainment, drinks and games on our private view & Christmas event: Thursday, 11.12.14, 7.00pm - 10.00pm 

Venue: Flaxon Ptootch, 237 Kentish Town Rd, Kentish Town, London NW5 2JT

Opening times: Mo, Thurs & Fri: 10.30am – 7.00pm

Wed: 10.30 to late / Sat: early to 7.00pm / Tuesday & Sunday: closed

The ‘Playing Cards’ project is playfully observing our daily routine on mobile devices. It seems that mobile phones and tablets have become our new best friends, we never leave them unattended. But what happens to the seemingly endless stream of data we leave behind? All this private information we post and tweet about our lives; where is it really going? Who is the one that knows everything about us? Come and find out on 11th December...

Finally, some of the wonderful people I photographed in Vietnam will be on display in a London based Vietnamese coffee shop.

The series 'Farmers' were part of a larger body of work which I created during my artist residency in 2013. After being exhibited in Hue and Hanoi, the images were shipped to London and since waiting to see the light of day again. Eight images will be chosen and exchanged in February for another selection of farmers. The exhibition will last for 6 month in total.

In order to celebrate, please join me on Saturday, 6 December at 3.30 for an informal opening / ‘caphe’ meeting. 

Venue: Caphe House at 114 Bermondsey Street, Bermondsey, London SE1 3TX


Opening times:
Mon - Fri: 8am – 5.00pm

 / Sat: 9am – 5.00pm / Sun: closed
Also closed for 3 weeks from 20 December to 10 January!!!

About the images: the project has been created in honour of micro food production households and features people who are physically involved in growing or producing food from their homes and gardens. We often forget how labour intensive it is to produce what we eat. Especially in the Western world the connection between food and nature seems to get lost. Therefore I visited small-scale farmers and family run production businesses and took portraits of people with their products in order to re-establish a relationship with the origin of food provisions. The series will be continued in Senegal from January to February 2015.