“We are drawn to the oscillation between an almost mystical atmosphere created through the blending of light and shadow in a soft focus reminiscent of Margaret Cameron’s Julia, and sharp lines that do not aim for technical perfection. Piet Mondrian wrote: “We are aware that in nature all connections are dominated by a single primordial connection, defined by the opposition of two extremes /…/ This positional connection is the most balanced of all, since it expresses perfect harmony, the connection between two extremes, and contains all other connections.” And it is this construction of a story between two opposite poles that is present in Maja Šimenc’s photography. The photographer aims for intimate encounters with nature and sees in the images a revival of strength and will to live, through the ancient struggle between darkness and light, made possible by the total renunciation of colour, which would distract our perception from discovering what is essential.” – Sara Nuša Golob Grabner

Maja Šimenc’s photographs show above all a tendency to redefine nature photography. They move somewhere between a soft, fairytale-like focus and a unique rawness, and an apparent, deliberate bluntness.

We are drawn to the oscillation between an almost mystical atmosphere created through the blending of light and shadow in a soft focus reminiscent of Margaret Cameron’s Julia, and sharp lines that do not aim for technical perfection.

When viewing the photographs, we are placed in the role of the observer, who must switch between different perspectives and attitudes towards the visual images, but with an intuitively conceived narrative, the artist allows the insight to be given unencumbered and the reality to be found in the space in between.