Maria Fynsk Norup (b. 1975) is a fine art photographer, living and working on the tiny island of Ærø in the southernmost part of Denmark.
Maria primarily uses self-portraits as the medium for storytelling in her work, creating imagery that currently revolves around exploring the melancholy of being, the right to a place in the world, and the raw poetry of nature. Her inspiration is often drawn directly from dreams, feelings and past experiences, and her work can therefore vibrate with a dark undertone. Maria was originally trained in classical botany, and the inspiration from the plant world often appears in the visual storytelling in her works.
Her artistic style is often described by audiences as dreamy and thoughtful, with images that carries a storytelling thread, and a mood infused with silent drama, a vulnerable beauty and a sense of longing.
Education
1996-1997: History of Arts studies, University of Aarhus, DK
2004: M.Sc. Botany, University of Aarhus (DK) and The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (UK)
2005-2009: PhD-studies at Copenhagen Botanical Gardens (DK)
Exhibitions
2021: Galleri Øckenlund, DK – group exhibition/duo show: January
2020: KunstNow – online solo exhibition on their social platforms: March, June.
2020: Contemporary Art Collectors – online exhibition on their social platforms: March
2018-2020: Galleri Vråvejen, Ærøskøbing – solo exhibition.
2018: Galleri Højkant, Århus – solo exhibition.
2017: Ærø Museum – curated group exhibition at Søbygaard Castle, Ærø.
2016: Tiny Atlas Quarterly – Solas juryed group exhibition, San Fransisco.
2016: #DetSerDuIkkeIByen – Juryed group exhibition by RealDania, DR Kunstklub and Copenhagen Photo Festival at Rundetårn, Copenhagen. Among the best 12 chosen for large format print.
2015: Tiny Atlas Quarterly – Montauk juryed group exhibition, New York
Awards
2020:
October: Honorable mention: International Photography Awards: Category: People / Selfportrait
May: Honorable mention: 15th Julia Margaret Cameron Award (part of The Worldwide Photographers Gala Awards): Category: Fine Art
May: Honorable mention: 15th Julia Margaret Cameron Award (part of The Worldwide Photographers Gala Awards): Category: Self Portrait.
2016: 1st price winner – Click Foto x Spejlløse Fotografer. Subject: Close up in nature
Publications
2020:
Feb: Feature interview in the Danish newspaper Jyllandsposten.
2019:
Oct: Book feature/Interview, “Heimat” by Simone Hawlisch, published by Knesebeck verlag
Oct: Photographer for the book “Falmet Skønhed” by Dorthe Kvist, published by Forlaget Koustrup & co.
2018:
Jul: Magazine interview, BoBedre
Mar: Interview, MyNewsDesk/VisitÆrø
2017:
Nov: Interview, Supervisuals
Nov: Magazine interview, Living by Cahetu
Sept: Review, Boligcious.dk
Sept: Review, Heidihallingstad.com
Mar: Interview, Sunday.dk (Danske Bank)
2016: Interview, Fyens Amts Avis
