Viviane Sassen: The Body as a Canvas

Viviane Sassen’s book “Phosphor” traces the Dutch photographer’s career over more than 30 years.

Photographs by Viviane Sassen

Moving at the edge between the fine art and fashion worlds, Viviane Sassen’s fascinating language never ceased to surprise. The photographer’s remarkable curiosity and capability to evolve allowed her to push the boundaries of each one of the genres she touched, while keeping a recognizable stylistic signature. If the body becomes a canvas that offers unlimited possibilities, her work is never devoid of empathy, raising issues like identity, gender, motherhood, race, and the environment.

"In Bloom" for Dazed magazine, 2011 © Viviane Sassen and Stevenson (Johannesburg / Cape Town / Amsterdam)

Axiom B01, from the series "Umbra", 2014 © Viviane Sassen and Stevenson (Johannesburg / Cape Town / Amsterdam)

From the series "Early Works", 1999- 2000 © Viviane Sassen and Stevenson (Johannesburg / Cape Town / Amsterdam)

Self Portrait,1990 © Viviane Sassen and Stevenson (Johannesburg / Cape Town / Amsterdam)

African light and colors, stemming from Viviane Sassen’s childhood in Kenya, and the Dutch influences of her heritage, are pervasive throughout her work. The book’s sequence playfully transitions from fashion to still life to abstraction, including paint, collage and some of her most powerful series, where she photographed non-professional collaborators.

The book “Phosphor” is published by Prestel Publishin g and available at the price of $ 75.00.