Marc Lagrange

Lagrange was born in Kinshasa, Congo, in 1957. (died 25 december 2015)
His career path led him from engineering to photography, and his creativity from fashion photography to art. Privileging analog over digital, the Antwerp-based Belgian artist searches for intimacy and emotion, as opposed to artificial effects. His giant Polaroids -which have been exhibited worldwide- are a powerful example of his craft, as well as his attention to detail. He can display the texture of skin, highlight natural curves and make his models stand out. Lagrange elaborates entire sets to create the images he wants, until he finds the exact mood that he wishes to convey. From the color of the walls to the shape of a chair, every single detail counts, underlining Lagrange’s perfectionist streak and his willingness to unfold narratives.

Throughout his career, he has photographed the same women over different periods of time, turning them into his muses. Inge Van Bruystegem -a striking model and talented dancer- is one of them. Lagrange has been working with her for more than 15 years, developing a privileged relationship. The trust, which has flourished between them over the years, is quite rare in photography, still generating surprising results. People who pose in front of his lens end up performing spontaneously, revealing more about themselves than they perhaps intended to. One thing Lagrange respects is the mystery and power of women : even fully nude, his models are confident and in control, real protagonists as opposed to passive figures.