Photographer Merlijn Hooijsma has been selected as Artist of 2026 by the John & Marine van Vlissingen Art Foundation. This spring, he will travel to Western Australia to work on a new photographic series in which light, perception and stillness take center stage. The journey marks a new chapter in his artistic practice. The resulting work will be published in a book, the seventeenth edition in the Inspiration series. The accompanying exhibition will be on view at Singer Laren from 24 November 2026 to 10 January 2027. The exhibition will subsequently travel to Museum EICAS in Deventer, from 24 January to 28 March 2027.
A New Perspective on the Everyday
Merlijn Hooijsma is a visual artist. In his photography, he focuses on the everyday, revealing what often goes unnoticed. Through his camera, a recognizable reality emerges that allows room for wonder. An awareness of how extraordinary it is to see the world anew, time and again, lies at the heart of his work. Maurice Roose, board member of the Foundation: “Merlijn has an exceptional talent for light and perception. His work does not capture reality; it opens it up. His images invite the viewer to keep looking, with attention, curiosity and a sense of wonder.”
Desert Landscape: Stillness as the Source of Creation
For his new work, Merlijn consciously chooses the desert as his point of departure. He will travel via the west coast of Australia to the still unexplored Great Sandy Desert. At first glance, the landscape appears empty, yet it offers precisely through that emptiness a space for stillness and heightened perception. The characteristic colors of the region, with its intense oranges and greens and its pink salt lakes, form an important source of inspiration. Within this silence, a state of full presence emerges. From that focus, new creation can arise. In addition, Merlijn will explore Aboriginal art, in which landscape, time and spirituality are deeply intertwined.
New Collaboration with Museum EICAS
Following its presentation at Singer Laren, the exhibition will continue at Museum EICAS (European Institute for Contemporary Art and Science) in Deventer. The museum focuses on contemporary art and makes art from the 1960s onwards accessible to a broad audience. Bauke Zeilstra, Director of Museum EICAS: “During a visit to Singer Laren, at an exhibition by Jan Kuhlemeier, winner of the 2023 prize, I was immediately enthusiastic about the Foundation’s concept. By bringing the exhibition to Museum EICAS, Merlijn’s work is given a new platform. In this way, we broaden not only the visibility of young contemporary art, but also its geographical reach, from the west to the east of the Netherlands.”
About Merlijn Hooijsma
Merlijn Hooijsma (1999) graduated from the Fotoacademie Amsterdam in December 2023. He grew up in Muiderberg and developed as a photographer alongside his work in healthcare. From an early age, he has been fascinated by looking and by perceiving the world differently. This way of seeing was recognized early on. His mother once described it as follows: “We saw the same things, but he managed to capture what remained intangible to me.” For Merlijn, photography is a way of continuously exploring the world anew.
Follow Merlijn’s Journey
Curious about Merlijn’s journey and sources of inspiration? Follow him via @vanvlissingenartfoundation and @merlijnhooijsma on Instagram. More work: merlijnhooijsma.com.
Photo: Caecilia Rasch
