Kirsten Thys van den Audenaerde
Carpe diem
2017

Name: Carpe diem
Brand: Kirsten Thys van den Audenaerde
Rating: 4.9 (38 reviews)

$417.49

£305.95

€350

CA$574.74

A$584.64

CHF 333.84

MX$7,071.49

NOK 3,892.69

SEK 3,952.34

DKK 2,668.84

About the Item

Carpe diem, 2017, Edition 4/7, 2 APs 24x30cm Digital C-print, based on a Polaroid, Not mounted. Signed on the back and with certificate. Artist inventory PL2017-154 Kirsten Thys van den Audenaerde is a self-taught photographer based in Brussels, whose work explores the timeless beauty of the human form. Specializing in art nude photography, she has developed a signature style that celebrates the purity and vulnerability of the body in its natural state, a theme that has remained central to her artistic vision. In 2016, Kirsten experienced a pivotal shift in her creative practice. Frustrated by the clinical perfection of digital photography, she discovered The Impossible Project’s I-1 camera—a moment she describes as transformative. This encounter ignited her passion for analog photography, and within weeks, she had amassed a collection of vintage Polaroid cameras. Analog photography not only reignited her creativity but also restored her connection to the authenticity of the moment. Kirsten quickly gravitated toward expired film, captivated by its unpredictable textures and imperfections, which imbue her work with a unique character. A trip to Utah in September 2016 proved to be a defining moment in her career. Documenting the journey exclusively with her Polaroid cameras, she found inspiration in the dramatic landscapes and rugged terrain. This initial trip laid the foundation for her ambitious project, Polaroad: A Polaroid Road Trip. Returning in May 2017, Kirsten embarked on a second road trip through Utah and California, collaborating with an art nude model to create striking compositions that juxtapose the raw beauty of the human body against the vastness of the American desert. In September 2017, Kirsten undertook a solo expedition to complete the project. With a tent in the back of her rented Jeep, she navigated remote landscapes, capturing compelling images on pack film in collaboration with a local model. The resulting body of work showcases her ability to merge spontaneity with meticulous artistry, presenting a vision that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. Her Polaroad series debuted in Brussels, where it was exhibited until January 10, 2018, and has since been featured internationally, including in Ogden (Salt Lake City) and Barcelona. Her work has been praised for its ability to evoke emotion and challenge perceptions, solidifying her reputation as a rising voice in contemporary analog photography. Kirsten’s vision extends beyond the creation of art; she aspires to explore the world through her lens, capturing the essence of diverse landscapes and cultures. She continues to seek new challenges and opportunities to expand her practice, while also nurturing her growing archive of Polaroid film, a cherished medium that defines her artistic identity.

Creator:
Kirsten Thys van den Audenaerde (1968, Belgian)
Creation Year:
2017
Dimensions:
Height: 11.82 in (30 cm)Width: 9.45 in (24 cm)Depth: 0.04 in (1 mm)
Medium:
C Print,Polaroid
Movement & Style:
Contemporary
Period:
2010-
Condition:
Gallery Location:
Morongo Valley, CA
Reference Number:
Seller: KTVDA PL2017-1011stDibs: LU652315569382

Shop All Kirsten Thys van den Audenaerde

Kirsten Thys van den Audenaerde

Kirsten Thys van den Audenaerde is a self-taught freelance photographer, based in Brussels. Early on in her career, she discovered a fascination with art nude photography, and since then, the human body in its purest form has played a major role throughout her work.

In 2016, after becoming increasingly frustrated with digital perfection, an impulse buy of The Impossible Project’s I-1 camera changed her life. Never having heard of TIP before, she describes making that first Polaroid image as an instant love affair. Within weeks, she had acquired several old Polaroid cameras, and before she knew it, she switched to analog photography, quickly realizing that it offered her everything she had been missing in her digital work.

Capturing a unique moment exactly as it is has brought back the feeling of authenticity she had lost in her previous work. She especially likes to work with expired film, captivated by its perfect imperfections. In September 2016, a trip to visit relatives in Utah documented only with her Polaroid cameras proved to be a pivotal point. Inspired by the breathtaking landscapes, she returned in May 2017 and road tripped through Utah and California for a few weeks, accompanied by an art nude model friend. She paired the purity of the human body with rugged landscapes and rock formations, and it was along those desert roads that her project “Polaroad: A Polaroid Road Trip” was born.

Her hunger for new adventures made her return for a second time in September 2017, traveling solo with a tent in the back of her rented Jeep, completing her project with some stunning images on pack film, shot with a local model. Her “Polaroad” exhibition was on show in Brussels until January 10th, 2018. Her work has also been shown in Ogden (Salt Lake City) and Barcelona. Kirsten only dreams of two things: traveling around the world at least twice before she dies, with her Polaroid cameras of course, and a new fridge big enough to store her rapidly growing stash of Polaroid film.