Fingers / Ilse Oosterkamp

With his hands, Ilse Oosterkamp’s son Melle creates something that no one else can imitate. Melle has multiple disabilities, and struggles with a condition that makes his joints extremely flexible: hypermobility. Without him being aware of it, he can effortlessly create fleeting sculptures with his fingers. Lasting a few seconds, these poses cannot be controlled. As a photographer, Oosterkamp is fascinated by the impossibilities and unsuspected possibilities of the body – beautiful forms, but not always a pretty picture. Today’s visual culture is eager to showcase perfection. Being different evokes discomfort, because people are not accustomed to it. She strives to reveal the beauty.