Photo: Ton Reijntjes
I, Mirjam Terpstra, developed my passion for photography while travelling
and cycling in places as far apart as South Africa and Phnom Penh.
I am first and foremost a portrait photographer but architecture and
landscape come close behind. Traditions, poverty and social contrasts
are a vital part of my work, using my intuition and feelings to help
create my images. For me, portrait photography means establishing a
relationship before trying to capture the person within the person.
Visiting Iran, for the first time in 1999, I felt an immediate connection
with the Iranian People which resulted in my first exhibition “Impressions
of Iran”.
The Bakhtiyari, a nomadic tribe living in Western Iran entered my life
in 2002 and I was instantly fascinated by these people still living
in their traditional and primitive way of life. Since then I have returned
three times and in 2006 with an interpreter.
I have set up a health and schooling project with the Bakhtiyari to
help their children. This is being funded by the sale of my photo –
postcards “Bakhtiyari, a forgotten people” in a series of
8 for € 5,00.
Closer to home, in 2006 I worked on assignment for the Harbour Pilots
of IJmuiden and Amsterdam joining them as they guided their temporary
charges on a safe berth. In the same year I made a documentary about
the nominees of The Diversity Price 2006 for the council of Amsterdam.
In September 2007 I was nominated with three pictures for an award of the exhibition "De Haven werkt" and one of my pictures was rewarded with the first prize from the newspaper Het Parool and Port of Amsterdam.
During the past two years I have more been focussing on martime photography. In December 2008 I had in close cooperation with harbour pilots published a book on maritime photography called "Through the eyes of a pilot". The first copy was presented by mister Willem Bentink, chairmen of Loodswezen, region Amsterdam-IJmond to mister Hans Gerson, director of Port of Amsterdam. The book gives an unique picture into the fascinating world of marine pilots, shipping traffic and the port of Amsterdam.
For information please contact: Mirjam Terpstra m.e.terpstra@chello.nl
| 2009 | Exhibition “The making of 'Het Schoentje aan de Aemstel' ”, City Hall Amsterdam. Exhibition "Through the eyes of a pilot", IJmuider Zee- en Havenmuseum, "De Visserijschool". Group exhibition "The harbour works", City Hall Amsterdam. |
| 2008 | Group exhibition "The harbour works" and presentation of the book "Through the eyes of a pilot", Public Library of Amsterdam. |
| 2007 | Group exhibition "The harbour works", Muziekgebouw aan het IJ, Amsterdam. First prize for the photography competition "The harbour works" |
| 2006 | Group
exhibition “Muslim Women”, The
Amsterdam Public Library |
| 2005 | Exhibition
“Bakhtiyari, a forgotten people”, The Amsterdam Public
Library Exhibition “Women of Vietnam”, The Hogeschool of Amsterdam Exhibition “Impressions of Iran”, Dienst Persoonsgegevens, Amsterdam Exhibition “Bakhtiyari, a forgotten people”, The Hogeschool of Amsterdam Exhibition “Impressions of Iran”, Roman Catholic Church “Het Nieuwe Verbond”, Amsterdam |
| 2004 | Exhibition
"Bakhtiyari, a forgotten people”, Roman Catholic Church
“Het Nieuwe Verbond”, Amsterdam Group exhibition “Water”, ABC Treehouse Gallery, Amsterdam Exhibition “Impressions of Iran”, Rialto Movietheatre, Amsterdam, Group exhibition “Nomads”, Gallery “Reis om de Wereld in 80 dagen” Amsterdam Group exhibition Art and Cultural route “Loop naar de Kunst” of the Indische Buurt, Amsterdam Exhibition “Bakhtiyari, a forgotten people”, Rialto Movietheater, Amsterdam |
| 2003 | Group
exhibition “Vietnam”, Public Library, Purmerend |
| 2002 | “Library of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam”, Teylers Museum. Haarlem |
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