Colourama: Johnny Mae Hauser

In The Pink is proud to present the work of Johnny Mae Hauser (1997, Amsterdam), a rising voice in contemporary photography known for her poetic, introspective images.

A graduate of the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague (KABK), Hauser was nominated for the Ron Mandos Best Of Graduates 2022 and SBK Sprouts Young Talents prizes, and won the HEDEN Startprijs in the same year.

Hauser’s work explores the intangible dimensions of human emotion through soft, cool-toned imagery that evokes stillness, solitude, and reflection. Her visual language is rooted in emotional intimacy and isolation, creating a space where viewer and artist connect on a deeply personal level.

Photography is just one part of Hauser’s wider artistic process, which is guided by introspection, subconscious influences, and emotional memory. A hallmark of her practice is the presentation of her work: all prints are unique, made once only, using delicate C-Print techniques. Her decision to leave photographs unframed and unprotected by glass invites an unfiltered, raw encounter with the image.

At the heart of this exhibition is the series Bildnis—a collection of abstract self-portraits that explore the invisible threads between emotional memory and ordinary objects. Conceived in London in 2021 during a pivotal personal moment, the series emerged as an intimate study of identity and invisibility, realised through painterly, blurred compositions that challenge photography’s traditional documentary clarity.

By softening the focus and approaching objects almost as brushstrokes, Hauser invites us to look beyond what we see, encouraging a dialogue between perception, memory, and the unseen. Her work becomes a meditation on what lies beneath the surface of visibility.

This exhibition also offers a broader view of Hauser’s oeuvre, including works from her series Fernweh, Finsternis, Unprocessed, and Die Welle. Notably, the piece Unprocessed, shown in the Alcove space of the gallery, was one of the first photographs she took following the birth of her first child. In contrast, the two works from Die Welle reflect a subsequent period of her motherhood journey.

Hauser’s practice sits at the intersection of abstraction, introspection, and representation—offering a distinct and quietly powerful voice in the field of contemporary photography.