JOUWJA
Artist's Publication
When a child holds a newborn sibling for the first time, something shifts. There’s a sudden sense of responsibility as their hands, usually clumsy, cradle the baby with care. These moments, captured in family albums, mark the beginning of a new bond.
In Jouwja, Susanne has revisited her family album with Daan, her youngest brother, in mind. He experiences the world differently than his older siblings. Through visual research, she explores how these early moments of connection continue to shape their present relationship. For Daan, the past holds special meaning—he often looks back at old photos, wishing for things to remain unchanged.
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Daan lives in a silent world and may one day lose his sight, in that regard hands are essential. Hands guide him, communicate for him, and offer reassurance of connection.
Yet, questions arise—where is the balance? What happens when some of those hands disappear? Where does support end, and Daan’s independence begin? And who might he become without those guiding hands?
Though the work Susanne (Jouwja is her name pronounced by Daan) reflects on roles within the family, the question of support and the family as a structure with all its entanglements. Using her family archive as a foundation, she cut, zoomed, turned, and collaged images to highlight different perspectives. Combined with (new) documentary work, creating an observational approach that draws the viewer into her personal narrative.
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Artist's Publication
When a child holds a newborn sibling for the first time, something shifts. There’s a sudden sense of responsibility as their hands, usually clumsy, cradle the baby with care. These moments, captured in family albums, mark the beginning of a new bond.
In Jouwja, Susanne has revisited her family album with Daan, her youngest brother, in mind. He experiences the world differently than his older siblings. Through visual research, she explores how these early moments of connection continue to shape their present relationship. For Daan, the past holds special meaning—he often looks back at old photos, wishing for things to remain unchanged.
Daan lives in a silent world and may one day lose his sight, in that regard hands are essential. Hands guide him, communicate for him, and offer reassurance of connection.
Yet, questions arise—where is the balance? What happens when some of those hands disappear? Where does support end, and Daan’s independence begin? And who might he become without those guiding hands?
Though the work Susanne (Jouwja is her name pronounced by Daan) reflects on roles within the family, the question of support and the family as a structure with all its entanglements. Using her family archive as a foundation, she cut, zoomed, turned, and collaged images to highlight different perspectives. Combined with (new) documentary work, creating an observational approach that draws the viewer into her personal narrative.
Images
Susanne Duppen
Photography
Susanne Duppen
Family
Concept and Editing
Susanne Duppen
Ellen Sanders
Text
Daan Duppen
Susanne Duppen
Merel Bem
English Translation
Julia Gorodecky
Moya Gorodecky
Grafic Design
Put & Gootink
Production
Daan van Tulder
Printing Matters BV, Amsterdam
Lithography
Bert van der Horst
Printing
van Deventer
Binding
Agia
JOUWJA is a self-published, limited edition of 100 copies. Each book is hand-crafted, signed, and numbered, making every copy unique. To purchase a copy, you can write susanneduppen@gmail.com or find it at :
Foam & Huis Marseille in Amsterdam, Bildband in Berlin and Leporello in Rome.
ISBN 9789464917598
Nederlands / English
Edition 100
24 x 30,5 cm
72 Pages
€65
Supported by
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Nijmegen / Amsterdam / Berlin
2022 - 2024
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Achievements
– Shortlisted at Athens Photo Festival 2024, GR
– Awarded publication grant by Jaap Harten Fonds, NL
– Selected as one of the 10 Best Photo Books of 2024 by de Volkskrant, NL
– 4’ video screening at Les Rencontres d’Arles, “Night of the Year” (12 July 2025), FR
// Selected Best of Night of the Year; screened throughout the festival Les Rencontres d’Arles at Ancien Collège Mistral, 2025, FR
︎
Susanne Duppen
Photography
Susanne Duppen
Family
Concept and Editing
Susanne Duppen
Ellen Sanders
Text
Daan Duppen
Susanne Duppen
Merel Bem
English Translation
Julia Gorodecky
Moya Gorodecky
Grafic Design
Put & Gootink
Production
Daan van Tulder
Printing Matters BV, Amsterdam
Lithography
Bert van der Horst
Printing
van Deventer
Binding
Agia
JOUWJA is a self-published, limited edition of 100 copies. Each book is hand-crafted, signed, and numbered, making every copy unique. To purchase a copy, you can write susanneduppen@gmail.com or find it at :
Foam & Huis Marseille in Amsterdam, Bildband in Berlin and Leporello in Rome.
ISBN 9789464917598
Nederlands / English
Edition 100
24 x 30,5 cm
72 Pages
€65
Supported by
Nijmegen / Amsterdam / Berlin
2022 - 2024
Achievements
– Shortlisted at Athens Photo Festival 2024, GR
– Awarded publication grant by Jaap Harten Fonds, NL
– Selected as one of the 10 Best Photo Books of 2024 by de Volkskrant, NL
– 4’ video screening at Les Rencontres d’Arles, “Night of the Year” (12 July 2025), FR
// Selected Best of Night of the Year; screened throughout the festival Les Rencontres d’Arles at Ancien Collège Mistral, 2025, FR
︎