On the first floor, Dutch-German artist Johnny Mae Hauser presents photographs from her “Bildnis” series, in her first exhibition in Portugal. Born in 1997 in Amsterdam, Hauser’s photographic practice is deeply introspective, exploring the intangible dimensions of human emotion through a palette of soft, cool tones. Her images capture moments of stillness and introspection, forging a visual dialogue between artist and viewer that is both personal and universally resonant.
“Bildnis” is a series of abstract self-portraits that delve into the connection between emotional memory and everyday objects. Conceived in London in 2021 during a period of personal transition, the series emerged from Hauser’s sense of invisibility, transforming into an exploration of the ineffable through blurred, painterly still-life compositions. By rejecting the sharpness of traditional photography, Hauser invites the audience to engage with what lies beyond visibility—where memory, perception, and reality merge.
A signature aspect of Hauser’s practice is her approach to printing and presentation. She favours C-Print techniques, which lend a delicate materiality to her images, and deliberately avoids frames or glass, allowing her photographs to remain exposed and unfiltered—heightening their raw emotional impact. (...)
