Interview: Wilma Wijnen
Luca Curci talks with Wilma Wijnen during CONTEMPORARY VENICE 2021 – 9TH EDITION, at THE ROOM Contemporary Art Space.

After working for almost 30 years in the insurance world, it was time for a career switch. Wilma started a travel organization in 2003, which mainly focused on the African continent. Her passion for photography arose in southern Africa and she became fascinated by the colours, views, flora and fauna of this diverse continent. After four years, she once again changed course by giving direction to her passion and started vocational training at the photography school in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands. She followed the photography training there, specializing in portrait photography and additionally she attended various workshops and masterclasses in portrait, landscape and architecture photography. The challenge for her is to give the light a leading role in her work. A large part of her work consists not only of actually taking the photo, but also editing the photo. She uses many photographic techniques for this. Editing the photos is like painting for her. Reality forms a base for the photos she creates.

Luca Curci – What’s your background? What is the experience that has influenced your work the most?
Wilma Wijnen – I have worked in the insurance world for almost 30 years as an insurance broker for large corporate construction projects and I have travelled a lot through Africa and those two things have influenced me the most.

LC – When you take photos, are you usually inspired by the situation or do you find inspiration in yourself?
WW – I am inspired by, among other things, my environment, architectural buildings, large building structures, nature and light. I love to see what light is doing with structures and shapes. It is a combination of finding inspiration in myself and my environment.

LC – How is your creative process?
WW – If I see something beautiful along the way, I write it down in my diary and think about what I could do with it photographically. Which technique will I use, which lighting? What time of the day is the best, what is the weather like and if the conditions are favourable I plan a visit to take pictures. Then I will edit the photos and spend at least as much time on them as I did taking the photo.

LC – What do you think about the concept of this exhibition? How did it inspire you?
WW – I think it’s a great concept and it really inspired me.

LC – Did you enjoy cooperating with us?
WW – I really enjoyed working with ITSLIQUID. I received quick responses to all my questions and that gave me great confidence in ITSLIQUID.

LC – What is your idea about ITSLIQUID GROUP?
WW – I think ITSLIQUID is a great platform for artists to show their work with a wide reach.