Nothing / Nowhere

Nothing/Nowhere

Photograph: Willy Del Zoppo/André Leclercq
Guest artist: videographer Christopher Bouts

Willy Del Zoppo

Born on 28/11/1956

A Romanist (ULG) and French teacher at a technical and vocational school, as well as at the School of Fine Arts of Liège.

Self-taught.

Work represented by Galerie Vrais Rêves (Lyon)

He began his work as a photographer in 1998 with “Women, I love you”, which was recognised at the Charleroi Photo Museum in 2000.

He believed that photography offered a glimpse beyond what is real, proposing a transfiguration that is inherent to the visual arts. He aimed to express the mystery, richness and absurdity of life. He was interested in all forms of art, but, in a more restricted sense, in the processes related to artistic creation.

He often worked on themes like loss, disappearance, degradation and rebirth. His photography was primarily focused on antithesis and paradox; it suggested the questions and marvels that its creator expressed regarding existence.

Initially, he primarily photographed people, in a style of photography that could have been described as social; later, he gradually developed a visual language, with the creation of installations at the House of Culture in Namur, Mamac and La Chataigneraie. Finalist in the HSBC competition (Paris) in 2015.

Much like André Leclercq, he was very committed to democratic values.

André Leclercq

Born on 01/01/1962

He worked at the Liège psychiatric hospital (ISOSL).

He graduated in photography at the Academy of Fine Arts and at Saint-Luc in Liège.

He has always been involved in social photography, while, at the same time, expanding his field of interest.

Very committed to democratic values, he always aimed to showcase cultural diversity and the richness of humanity through his photography. He was also interested in humour and opposing views, as well as using the photographic process to pose questions.

The synergy between W. Del Zoppo and André Leclercq was born from a long friendship, which was based on dialogue, questioning and personal research. Both explore the themes of fragility, loss and disappearance through photography, which is what led them to collaborate on Nothing/Nowhere, which has become obvious to them.

Christopher Bouts was invited by the two photographers because they appreciate his artistic personality; they also knew that he was also conducting research in the field of loss and disappearance through the use of overlays, layers and erasures.