Almost Human

Almost Human presents a selection of three decades of photography by Wendelien Daan. Her work reflects on the image of women and their beauty in all its imperfections — sensual, subtle, yet also bold and humorous.

This publication features images arranged in unexpected ways, creating a unique atmosphere that invites reflection and raises questions. Through an abstract and surreal approach — both in the choice of imagery and in the sequencing and structure of the book — her admiration for the female body in all its versatility and diversity is emphasised. By choosing a diverse range of models and (sometimes uncomfortable) poses, Wendelien Daan explores new perspectives on beauty, challenging conventional ideals.

At a time when retouched and artificial ideals seem to be becoming the new norm, Wendelien Daan draws attention to authenticity and identity in our visual culture and in our expectations of beauty and the female form.

Wendelien Daan (Eindhoven, 1965)
is a photographer, visual artist and creative director and director.
After completing secondary school (HAVO), she moved to Arnhem to study fashion design at ArtEZ (1983–1988). During her studies she discovered that her passion for storytelling was best expressed through photography, and she began developing photographic projects with fellow students. In 1989 she moved to Amsterdam and soon focused entirely on photography, developing her own distinctive style and building a strong portfolio.
Between 1998 and 2010 she worked regularly for international clients and fashion magazines, which gave her the opportunity to travel extensively, mainly between Paris and New York. Following the events of 11 September 2001 in New York — where she was living at the time — she returned to Amsterdam and shifted her focus more towards the European market.
Over the past thirty years, Wendelien Daan has built an extensive archive of iconic photographs, many of which have been published internationally in leading fashion magazines and newspapers.

Through her use of light and carefully constructed situations, she creates a distinctive and subtly unsettling atmosphere in her images, prompting viewers to question what they are seeing. Her work observes its subjects through an abstract and surreal lens.
She enhances beauty by embracing imperfection, often zooming in to transform forms into something unexpected. Her admiration for the human body and her use of unusual poses as visual elements are evident throughout her work, which can be described as both sensual and subtle, as well as bold and humorous. She creates her work as a commentary on the image of the contemporary woman.