Wendy Marijnissen is a freelance documentary photographer from Belgium. Starting out in the theatre and music world in Belgium, she quickly went looking for stories in a social context: She photographed a theatre company that works with mentally disabled actors, a women's shelter in Palestine for elderly and disabled women and she worked on other long-term projects that will usually lead her to stories that involve music, theatre or women. She recently completed a long-term reportage in Israel and Palestine, using music to show a different part of daily life in this stressful and violent region. Picturing how people try to continue their lives under stressful and difficult conditions. Showing how culture manifests itself in these communities and showing another face of the people living there. She is currently based in Antwerp, Belgium.

Wendy Marijnissen è una giornalista freelance originaria del Belgio. Dopo le prime esperienze nel mondo della musica e del teatro, ha cominciato a interessarsi a tematiche sociali: tra i suoi lavori, un reportage su una compagnia teatrale formata da attori disabili, un reportage su un ricovero per donne anziane o portatrici di handicap in Palestina e altri progetti a lungo termine che spesso ruotano intorno ad argomenti come musica, teatro e diritti delle donne. Recentemente, ha realizzato un progetto tra Israele e Palestina, in cui la musica è il filo conduttore per raccontare le difficoltà della vita quotidiana in questa regione dai delicati equilibri, per mostrare come le persone continuino a cercare una “normalità” anche in condizioni disperate e per svelare un volto inatteso di un luogo spesso al centro della cronaca. Attualmente, vive e lavora a Antwerp, in Belgio.

• www.wendymarijnissen.com

Exhibitions

• 2008 Strike a chord - C.C. de Luchtbal, Antwerp / KVS, Brussels
• 2006 Music City - Art Studio Ann Jorissen, Mechelen / Gallery Moriaenshooft, Hoogstraten
• 2005 Women & co - Assignment by the Mundial counsel, Public Library Hoogstraten
• 2005 Expose - groupexhibit Royal Academy of Arts Antwerp, Antwerp, Wintertuin, KASKA
• 2004 Backstage - Public Library Knesselare / CC de Warande, Turnhout

Awards

• 2006 Nikon Press Award, Belgium - Selection of 3 pictures

Strike a chord: Musical Experiences in Israel and Palestine

The struggle between Israelis and Palestinians is one of the most enduring in the world. This conflict erupts regularly with violence, terror and harassment. Occupation of land, the separation barrier and fear for suicide attacks are very real elements in people's lives. The political situation is defining for daily life. But even in this region, there is still a vivid cultural world. read more...