JIMMY NELSON

“Painting Portraits with a camera“

Jimmy Nelson is one of the most spectacular photographers of our time. 'Between the Sea and the Sky,' his latest book, takes us on a journey through the rich heritage and fading traditions of the Netherlands. It portrays the heart of Dutch culture, as Jimmy Nelson, who has lived there for 34 years, showcases people from twenty communities in traditional clothing, offering an insight into their own distinct ways of life, in coastal villages and beautiful landscapes in Marken, Friesland, and Zeeland. Immerse yourself in the history and myths of this culture and the beauty that defines this unique Dutch spirit. We spoke with Jimmy Nelson about his new book...

RIZE: Jimmy, you're a native Brit, previously lived among other places in Asia and South Africa. How did you come up with the idea for the photo book "Between the Sea and the Sky" featuring traditional Dutch motifs?

Jimmy Nelson: I don't see myself as British, even though I was born in Kent, England in 1967; I consider myself Dutch. I only spent ten years of my life in England. In my childhood, I travelled extensively with my parents due to my father's job as a geologist at Shell Oil. My youth was anything but happy. I had some unpleasant experiences at the Jesuit boarding school I attended in Lancashire. Then one day I contracted malaria, was given the wrong medication, and overnight lost all my hair—what's called Alopecia totalis. After that, I was bullied. No, it was truly not a happy, carefree youth. At 17, I left home and increasingly devoted myself to photography. At 23, I got married to my girlfriend, who is Dutch. Through her, I came to the Netherlands, where I've been living for 34 years now. I consider myself Dutch. The country has basically adopted me (laughs). Holland became my home base, but I still had to venture out, embarking on trips all over the world to visit and portray indigenous peoples, such as those in Tibet, Mongolia, or South America. During the Covid pandemic, when travel was restricted, the idea came to focus on my homeland, Holland.

How did you connect with the community?

One day I met a woman named Marika, in her late 50s, who works in marketing and lives traditionally in the Netherlands, wearing "Kleederdracht" attire. Through her, I became aware of this unique way of life. During the pandemic, we stayed in touch via email, but it took a long time to convince her to let me photograph her. She said I could come and visit, but without a camera. I haven't had a car for eight years, so I cycled an hour from Amsterdam to the north, to the small village where she lives. She knew my previous books and started telling me her life story. The traditional community in which she lives usually doesn't share their way of life with the outside world. Sometimes they are laughed at because they are considered backward and old-fashioned. But their tradition is stronger than the criticism. Their clothing is embroidered with their personal life story and family background with symbols. The clothes are passed down from generation to generation, and they wear them with pride. It's a story that fascinated me.

And eventually you gained her trust?

Yes. Marika said I could bring my camera and start photographing. And so the work on the book "Between the Sea and the Sky" began. I found beauty in the people and the culture. It's fascinating how they preserve and protect their cultural identity because all over the world, many people lose theirs and therefore fear other cultural identities. By the way, it was important to me that my book is not about the past but about how to bring their values and authenticity into the future. My book is also intended as a thank you to the Dutch, my love story with the Netherlands. It's a very emotional story, and I wanted to express my gratitude. It's a gift to the country that found and accepted me. Today is a cold, dark, rainy day—but I still love the Netherlands. The book also says a lot about myself: I'm not a white, privileged middle-aged artist always looking for the exotic, but I seek the beauty in people in the context of culture and storytelling. This can be in the Netherlands, but also in New Guinea or Mongolia. It's about people.

»My biggest goal is to convince every child to pursue a sustainable career. In life, it's primarily about humanity and human respect«

Jimmy Nelson

How long did the book's production process take?

The production took a good year. I spent a lot of time initially contacting people, getting to know them, building a relationship, gaining their trust. I had to visit some of them four or five times before they felt comfortable being photographed. The actual shooting didn't take that long. All the images shown in the book were carefully staged; nothing happened spontaneously. Important: This is not just my own work but a collaboration between the photographer and the people.

Would you say that your photos in "Between the Sea and the Sky" are also inspired by Dutch painters like Jan Vermeer ("Girl with a Pearl Earring")?

Vermeer is definitely an inspiration, as are other Dutch painters. My goal is to paint portraits with my camera. I'm inspired by many people and things. I also have a large library; I love books; they inspire me too. And I believe everyone is an artist, you, me, it's about the art of life - in a metaphor. It's extremely important to be inspired by others.

Is that a goal you pursue in your life - to inspire?

Absolutely.  I want to be able to share my photos and stories until I die. My biggest goal is to convince every child to pursue a sustainable career. In life, it's primarily about humanity and human respect.

What are your plans for the future?

I'm planning a new book about the Middle East; the working title at the moment is "The Souls of the Sand". I've just been to Saudi Arabia, on the border with Yemen. I travelled around there for a few weeks without cameras. I just sat there, observed, listened, talked, asked. Soon I'll go back to the same people, but now I'll bring my cameras and start photographing. In recent years, the Middle East has been portrayed mainly negatively, a grim, dramatic story. Now I want to rediscover the beauty of humanity that exists in Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, amidst all the negative stories we are told. That will be my next adventure.

Learn more about Jimmy Nelson, his books, and exhibitions here