Storytelling, Reflective & Energetic: Interview With Simone Gablan
Welcome to the latest edition of our "Interview with the Artist" series. This edition features Dutch photographer Simone Gablan.
Simone's journey into photography was sparked by an inspiring visit to a Vivian Maier exhibition in Amsterdam, where she discovered a deep connection with Maier's narrative-driven portraits. This transformative experience, coupled with her rich background in the performing arts, has profoundly influenced Simone's photographic style. She masterfully weaves stories into her portraits, revealing the psychology and essence of her subjects with an elegance that is both timeless and captivating.
Renowned for her ability to create strong and evocative images, Simone specializes in crafting personalized sessions that truly reflect the individuality of her clients.
Join us as we explore Simone Gablan's artistic journey, her inspirations, and the unique approach she brings to the world of portrait photography.
Simone Gablan. Image courtesy of the artist.
SAH: Can you share with us when you first discovered your passion for photography?
SG: When I visited the Vivian Maier exhibition Foam in Amsterdam.
I found the story so cool, a nanny who went around New York the whole day with her analogue camera, dragging the kids along, only to make portraits of eccentric people she saw on her way. I used to be an actress and I think the whole story of her life made everything more special to me.
Her portraits are amazing. She was never well known, she did not have money to make prints of her work. I think she died on a bench somewhere in New York. Somebody discovered her work on the market. And that’s how it got out into the world.
Well, it’s an amazing story; her portraits were her absolute obsession. A remarkable story of, a remarkable woman.
Simone Gablan. Ezgi No. 2. Mixed Media Photography art.
SAH: How did your background in the performing arts influence your photographic style?
SG: I quit being an actress after four years. I didn't want to depend on people telling me whether I could work or not. But I love stories of people and especially the psychology behind it.
My interest in people and incorporating their stories into my art stems from my background as an actress. Maybe, I hide behind the lens sometimes, rather than in front of it. I feel more comfortable directing an image instead of being part of that image myself. I don’t know…I think it’s the trauma of being an actress in the past.
SAH: Can you describe any specific creative rituals or routines that help you maintain your artistic momentum and inspire new ideas in your photography?
SG: I watch a lot of films and stories. It inspires me to think differently. There is not a ritual, but I have these waves of creativity, they come and go. When they come it’s almost an obsession. I cannot stop. My productivity is huge when I am in those waves. When I am in the moment of creating, everything just flows and I have no criticism towards my work, which mostly comes later…haha. I think every artist can relate to that.
Simone Gablan. Girl Faded. Mixed media. Photography Art.
Simone Gablan. Mezuru. Mixed Media. Photography art.
SAH: Storytelling seems to be a key element in your work. How do you decide which stories to convey through your portraits, and what impact do you hope these narratives have on your audience?
SG: I love the images of Gregory Crewdson, because of my love for film and acting. Telling a whole life in one image.
I wish I was so far in my arts. I could be more of a storyteller by utilising my past as an actor. Mostly I just see something in my head, it just pops up. I have that all the time. And when I have a model in front of me, I just look at her or him and see whatever comes up, like an organic flow of creating, it always is there and works for me.
I hope my art creates an impact on my audience.
Sometimes they have a connection with a story from their past, I don't know about…
And they feel a connection because of that. I think my work could be named as scattered dreams and not very definite or concrete, although it’s not abstract as well. That could move someone on that level. Maybe.
Simone Gablan. Joy. Fine Art Photography.
SAH: Growing up in a creatively rich environment, what specific influences from your childhood have had the most significant impact on your work today?
SG: I think both of my parents just did whatever they wanted to do. My father made sometimes four paintings a day and my mother was more controlling in her work as a dancer and ballet teacher. Those two components I find within myself. Controlling and directing versus letting everything flow without any criticism.
Interestingly, by answering this question and formulating the answer, I never really thought about it that way. Although, I do think that my father’s way was more relaxing ( the creating part). Just do whatever comes up, and be a bit impulsive in creating. The way children do, I love that. I want to maintain that.
Later on the adult way; criticism and sabotaging yourself, will come up. That kills everything and makes you doubt yourself.
Not so constructive. My father did not have that although he was always afraid to expose his art. I don’t have that. I want people to see it.
SAH: What role does digital manipulation play in your art?
SG: I am also a video editor and the fun thing is; the video in the edit is created all over again! Because by cutting video parts, a whole new storyline emerges.
I like that a lot. The same goes for Photoshop or any other software. You bring two components together and make a whole new thing. I am not working with AI yet, I am not against it I love the craftsmanship. However, I also love computer technologies and I am good at it I think. I use the computer and the software to bring two pieces of art together. Like I do with the photography art. For the normal fine art portraits, I am pretty old-school. Just tweaking the colours a bit.
Simone Gablan. Girl with Swan. Fine Art Photography.
SAH: How do you balance creating portraits for clients with pursuing your personal art projects, what do you find most rewarding about each?
SG: The balance is no problem. I am a highly productive and energetic person. That’s my luck, haha. Portraits for clients, like lawyers have to be made faster, they don’t have so much time. So that’s a challenge. In these moments I focus on doing a good job because money is involved and expectations by the client.
My most rewarding work is with clients, I like to make them happy and confident. I always make them part of the process. Always.
I don’t believe in it; I am the photographer and you are just my object. It does not work for me. The feedback is always rewarding, the money is as well. I love being in the flow and doing whatever comes up, that’s very rewarding.
Not thinking about daily life and all the struggles and worries about this planet and all the sick things happening. I am also a surfer and riding a wave is the same; you don’t think about how to do it because then you will get wiped out, you have to act, paddle and take that time to ride the wave. A bit cheesy maybe, but that’s the way it is and is supposed to be, is my opinion.
SAH: Looking ahead, can you share any upcoming projects or exhibitions?
SG: I just made my whole webshop myself, months of work. Pretty intense. Now, I am learning about marketing. It’s a new world to me. I am from the pre-internet generation. No exhibitions yet, because that is always also a financial investment. I might be focusing now on making new art and portraits.
SAH: What advice would you give someone wanting to have a photography career?
SG: Don’t think too much, just start. Don’t think in impossibilities but in possibilities. And keep learning, online and from other people.
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