ART THAT MATTERSby Spannenburg.Art
← Back to Collection

More from the series

ESTRANGED (series) →
A black and white conceptual fine art portrait of TOOTSI for the ESTRANGED series by ARJAN SPANNENBURG, featuring a person in drag among large leaves.A black and white conceptual fine art portrait of DAMIAN for the ESTRANGED series by ARJAN SPANNENBURG, featuring a man among bare, leafless branches.A black and white conceptual fine art portrait of SURAINA for the ESTRANGED series by ARJAN SPANNENBURG, featuring a woman looking through elderberry branches.A black and white conceptual portrait of YANNICK for the ESTRANGED series by ARJAN SPANNENBURG, showing a man partially hidden by pine branches.A black and white conceptual fine art portrait of CHRISTIAN for the ESTRANGED series by ARJAN SPANNENBURG, showing a man from behind among oak leaves.A poetic bA high-contrast black and white conceptual portrait of WOUTER for the ESTRANGED series by ARJAN SPANNENBURG, showing the subject behind pine branches.lack and white image by Arjan Spannenburg where sharp nature overlaps a blurred male figure, symbolizing the hidden struggles of queer identity.
Arjan Spannenburg

ESTRANGED - JAAP

"A cinematic exploration of the geography of the soul, capturing the profound realisation that "home" is not a physical location, but a state of being understood."

The Narrative

Exploring the space between place and belonging

In this evocative chapter of the ESTRANGED series, ARJAN SPANNENBURG investigates the psychological displacement often experienced by those who exist outside societal norms. Through the portrait of JAAP, the artist visualises the search for a "home" that transcends physical borders. SPANNENBURG utilises the complex, shadowed patterns of the locust tree leaves to symbolise the external world—a place that can often feel dark or impenetrable when one is not truly seen. The artwork captures the subject in a moment of quiet, outward focus, suggesting that the journey toward belonging begins with finding a community that mirrors one's internal truth.

Te whare tapu o te wheako tahi

SPANNENBURG’S objective with this piece is to define "home" as a relational space rather than a domestic one. By placing JAAP amidst the rhythmic, textured foliage, the artist mirrors the subject's navigation through a world that may be familiar but not necessarily welcoming. As JAAP poignantly reflects: You don't feel at home where you are, but where they understand you. This creation serves as an institutional record of the queer experience of seeking "chosen family" and the safety of being understood without explanation. For the collector and curator, this photograph offers a sophisticated narrative on the resilience of the human spirit in its quest for authentic connection and emotional shelter.

Download fact sheet (PDF)

Visual Analysis

A vertical black and white photograph featuring a shirtless young man with wavy hair, positioned within the dense branches of a locust tree. The subject is seen from the chest up, his torso illuminated by a strong, directional light that contrasts with the deep shadows behind him. His gaze is directed downward and to the side, lost in a moment of introspection. His hands are visible, one raised high to grip a vertical branch and the other resting lower among the small, rounded leaflets. The composition is layered with organic textures, creating a sense of a man moving through a dark, complex environment toward a source of light.

Configure Your Edition

Select Size & Edition

Select Material / Finish

Year

2022

Genres

PortraitureMasculine VulnerabilityConceptualFine Art PhotographyMental HealthComing of AgeQueerConceptualLGBTQ+