'Made in Senegal' at Gallery Ethiopiques, 12.02 - 27.02.15

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/

Project: ‘Made in Senegal', Artist Resdency, 15.01 – 16.02.15

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 16th 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...

'Playing Cards', at Flaxon Ptootch Salon, 11.12.14 - 14.01.15


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...

'Farmers (from: Made in Vietnam)' at the Vietnamese Caphe House, 01.12.14 - 30.06.15

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.

'Hà Nội: CAPITAL CITY', 2nd book commission in Vietnam

Following my photo book commission in Vietnam 2013 (TP. HCM Mega City).  I had the pleasure to be called again for another photo book, this time in Ha Noi.

In 3 weeks I photographed over 40 individual people and families in their homes or at work and asked them about their personal relationship to Ha Noi. The outcome is forming one chapter in this book, which otherwise documents the recent developments of the historical Capital City in Vietnam.



For my chapter ('The people of Hanoi') I wanted to take a closer look behind the facade and explore how people use their personal space. This gave me the opportunity to gather a fascinating insight into homes and workplaces from rich to poor, from younger to older generations and from migrants to those who lived here all their lives and helped to shape this city.

The book is sponsored and supported by Goethe Institute Hanoi and will be published beginning of 2015. More information will follow in time.

'Fitzrovia Journal' Issue No.3 Launch Party, 23.10.14

Issue No 3 (‘Creativity’) is about to emerge!!! Soon you will find this new magazine on Fitzrovia at selected newsagents and cafes local to its neighborhood.

But before you can read these stories (written by Kirk Trueman), be invited to join the launch event, which is happening on Thursday, 23 October, 6.00pm - 9.00pm

Venue: 'The Kings Canary'
81 Great Titchfield Street, London W1W 6RQ

I am also proud to announce that the magazine is holding two of my photo essays, including the cover picture of Shabnam Esl, a very gifted fashion designer. Shabnam draws her inspiration from ancient Persia and her creations are astonishingly beautiful.
My other photo story are about a fashion shop called In-Ku, run by Carin, a lovely lady from New Zealand. Carin is also very creative and her designs are very natural and charming. The footprint of her shop is tiny, but the space is well designed over several floors. Get the 'Fitzrovia Journal' to find out more...

'TP. Hà Nội Capital City', 2nd book commission in Vietnam, 21.09 - 02.11.14

It seems only a short while ago that I spent some highly fruitful time in Vietnam. Perhaps you remember; next to my artist residency I also I had a commission for a chapter in a photo book in Ho Chi Minh City.

Well, I am pleased to announce that I have been invited back. This time I will be working on a photo book in Hanoi, sponsored by 'Goethe Institute' in Vietnam. Once again I will be taking a closer look behind the facade and explore how people use their personal space... The book will be published by the end of this year (wait for further announcements).

'Wedding Projection' for Michael and Lucy, 24.08.14



With pleasure and joy I would like to announce the wedding of Michael & Lucy, which took place on 24th August in Kentish Town.

This exiting event provided me with an interesting photo opportunity. Video designer & animation director Zsolt Balogh was commissioned to produce a gigantic projection for the wedding reception. Zsolt created 5 superimposed images in total, displayed via 3 projectors against the wall of the entire venue and the effect was absolutely amazing.

The photography for the projection was provided by me (full body shots, see above) and photographer Douglas Cape (close ups). In case you getting inspired in having something like this for your wedding or other special events, you know where to find us... :)

'Playing Cards', new creative project at Flaxon Ptootch

With joy and anticipation, I started a new series: for the coming weeks I will be working on a set of playing cards - based on real life observations and modern ways of communication...

My creative partners are Michael Phootch, owner of the legendary hair saloon and gallery Flaxon Phootch, his hair styling colleague Sophia Eltayeb and the wonderful make-up artist  Mary Ellen Lamb.

Almost all models are clients and friends from the fan club of the hair saloon, demonstrating the skill set of Michael (King of Kentish Town, see picture) and Sophia. However, we are still short of one king... Any brave takers?

Watch this space!!! There will be an exhibition in December, just in time before Christmas. Pop in and see for yourself: this is not just a hair saloon!!!

Further announcements will follow shortly.

‘Light-Headed’ 2014, Photography Exhibition from 02.10 – 31.10.14



East End based Gallery320 will be presenting a photography group show in participation of London’s PHOTOMONTH festival (October - November 2012)

Opening party: Thursday, 02.10.14, 6pm - 9pm
Gallery opening times: Monday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm
Closed on Thursdays and Sundays

Venue: Gallery320 at 320 Bethnal Green road Entrance via Voss Street),
Bethnal Green, London E2 0AG

Astrid's chosen image for the show is called 'Cleaning Up (the Economy)'. The photograph is inspired by the painting 'American Gothic', created in the 1930's during the worlds last big recession. All clothing in the picture has been created out of cleaning cloth.


‘London Independent Photographers‘ - The Seventh Greenwich Annual Exhibition, 04.08 – 17.08.14


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

This year I am showing one of my images from my work in Vietnam’, which was created during a 2month residency. The image is depicting ‘Sam, the peanut farmer’.  However, there are more images from that series which I would love to show. In case you know of a venue, please get in touch… Here are the images from ‘Farmers’ (Made in Vietnam).

‘Venue: The Greenwich Gallery at 
Linear House
Peyton Place, London SE10 8RS
 

Opening times: Monday to Friday: 9am - 5.30pm and
Saturday to Sunday: 1pm - 5pm

The private view is open for all and takes place on Saturday, 4th August 2014 from 6.30pm - 8.30pm.

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. 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 Hanoi from October 2014 and in Senegal from January to March 2015.

'Fitzrovia Journal' Issue No.2 Launch Party, 03.07.14

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I introduce a new magazine? This is actually issue no.2 already, but it only appeared on the readers table this year and is distributed only in Fitzrovia.

 I also wish to announce, that the magazine was holding three of my photo essays, including the cover picture of Ezra Axelrod, a young and critically-acclaimed American singer-songwriter.

 My other two stories are about Mathew Sturgis, an author, historian and biographer, and Jason Morell, an actor, who has recently been acclaimed to be the director of the 'Dylan Thomas' festival in Fitzrovia, scheduled for October.

 The launch event of issue no.2 (‘Modernity’) is happening at:
Venue: 'Rebecca Hossack Gallery', 2A Conway Street, 
London W1T 6BA
Time: Thursday, 3 July, 6.30pm - 8.30pm

 Fitzrovia Journal will return in October with issue no. 3, which runs under the topic of ‘Creativity’. You will find more of my essays in there, watch this space...

London Photographers Association ‘Lets Face It’ Competition

Announcement: the series ‘Farmers’ has been awarded as Highly Commended by the London Photographers Association. The LPA is running its portraiture competition Let's Face It for the 10th time, and Astrid has already been honored in other LPA competitions in previous years.

The series can be seen at:http://www.astridschulz.com/farmers/

About the images: ‘Farmers' (from ‘Made in Vietnam’) has been created during a 2month residency at New Space Art Foundation in Hue, Central Vietnam. During the residency Astrid was exploring the subject of food. The series ‘Farmers’ has been created honor of micro food production households and features people who are physically involved in growing or producing food from their homes and gardens. Astrid wishes to support the values of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), which declared the International Year of Family Farming 2014.

'Hairdresses' at Flaxon Ptootch Salon, 08.05 - 10.06.14

For the first time the series 'Hairdressers' will go on show as a set. All twelve will be hanging for one month inside the funky hair saloon Flaxon Ptootch in Kentish Town. The project itself is a collaboration between Astrid and hair & make-up artist Konnie Daniel, who worked wonders on the hair of 12 guys (click here for 'Hairdressers')

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
Private View: Thursday, 08.05.14, 7.00pm - 10.00pm

‘Hairdressers’ is inspired by the novel Egalia's Daughters in which the protagonists swapped gender based roles. I am questioning our perception on what is regarded as ‘normal’ and what is ‘abnormal’. The sitters look amusing because we do not expect men to go through such treatments, but for women of our society this is perfectly normal. Just wondering: perhaps it’s time for men to get emancipated? Tell me your opinion after you've visited that hair saloon...

'fFIP Magazine' no 27, Spring Issue 2014


The latest issue of fLIP magazine carries the title 'Connections' and is featuring yet another one of Astrid’s stories. After a talk in front of the London Independent Photographers group, Astrid got invited to write a feature story about her experiences in Vietnam during her residency, with focus on her book commission in Ho Chi Minh City.
Click here to read the full story.

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

'TP. Ho Chi Minh Mega City' Book publishing, February 2014


During my time in Vietnam I had a commission for a photo book in Ho Chi Minh City (by Michael Waibel & Hilbert Henning). In only seven days I photographed between 30-40 individual people and families in their homes or at work and asked them about their relationship to HCMC. The outcome is forming one chapter in this book, which otherwise documents the developments of the vibrant economic metropolis and biggest city in Vietnam.

For my chapter I wanted to take a closer look behind the facade and explore how people use their personal space. This gave me the opportunity to gather a fascinating insight into homes and workplaces from rich to poor, from younger to older generations and from migrants to those who lived here all their lives and helped to shape this city.

The book is published by 'Times Publishing House' and its ISBN No is: 978-604-936-338-2

My personal collection of the images can be seen at: www.astridschulz.com/hcmc/


The launch event will take place in Hanoi on 19 February at 6pm (venue: Goethe Institute Hanoi, 56-58 Nguyen Thai Hoc Hanoi, Vietnam). Click here for information.
A second event will be held in HCMC on 23 February at 10am (venue: Salon Van Hoa Cà Phé Thu Bay Lau 1, 19b Pham Ngoc Thach, District 3, HCMC).

'fLIP Magazine' no 26, Winter Issue 2013

fLIP is an independent magazine, which is published three times per year by the London Independent Photographers (LIP). The 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. 


The current issue, no 26, which carries the title 'Character', is featuring four images from Astrid's 'Hairdressers' series. The project was a collaboration between Astrid and hair&make up artist Konnie Daniel, who worked wonders on the hair of 12 guys (click here for 'Hairdressers').


fLIP is available at various stockists across London, including the Tate Modern Bookshop, National Portrait, Serpentine Gallery Bookshop, Whitechapel Gallery Bookshop and many more. For further information about fLIP magazine please click here.

'Haidressers' will be exhibited in May 2014. Information about the venue and the opening event will be anounced shortly...

'Made in Vietnam' - Official Invitation and Opening Event, 07.12.13


This time in Hanoi:
Please join us on 07th December at 6pm to celebrate the second show of 'Made in Vietnam'.

This time it will be a very different experience: rather experimental, to say the least. In case you know anyone in Hanoi, please send them to Zone 9 into 9A4 M Studio, Block A, Tran Thanh Tong Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, Vietnam.

The show will be open daily until 14th December 2013. 

Photos from the venue: www.astridschulz.com/zone9/

‘Made in Vietnam’ at Zone 9, Hanoi, 07.12 – 14.12.13

Proud announcement: my work is coming from Hue to Hanoi! I got invited to by the Vietnamese artist Phương Vũ Mạnh to exhibit 'Made in Vietnam' in his studio space, which is located in Hanoi's most creative hotspot.

Zone 9 has been an abandoned factory – until last year, when it was discovered by some artist and transformed one of the coolest places in town. By now Zone 9 accommodates bars, cafes, fashion shops, restaurants, studios and it is still growing. Some people already compare it to some Art Zones in New York, London or Berlin…

Many people from the creative industries decided to move in, including Phương Vũ Mạnh, who opened up his studio / exhibition space in Block A.

More information will follow shortly...

Venue: 9A4 M Studio, Block A,  Zone 9, Tran Thanh Tong Street, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, Vietnam
Opening Times: tbc

Private View: Saturday, 07.12 13, from 6pm - 8.30pm