Essence

Unmistakable beauty and diversity Since 1998, Jan C. Schlegel regularly travels to remote places that are largely cut off from tourism and the Western world. On his tours, the artist observed the rapid decline of traditions and increasing changes in people's lifestyles due to globalization. The unstoppable changes awakened in the photographer an urgent desire to portray people, to capture impressions and to preserve the traditional ways of life of these tribes in his pictures. Schlegel often stayed with a tribe for weeks with his assistant in order to learn about and understand their habits. Only in this way did he gain the confidence to create images with the desired closeness and intimacy. UHe has travelled to over 60 countries in recent years, always in search of the unique beauty and diversity of the peoples. His compositions, the strongly contrasting play of light and shadow, the inner power, as well as extraordinary perspectives provide a glimpse into the hidden cultural wealth of this world, which is becoming increasingly rare to find. Schlegel not only creates artistic photographs, but also documents and preserves unique works of art in his pictures – the people themselves.