Arrière-pays
Arrière-pays roughly translates to “inland region¨ but literally translates to “back country”.
During the first two years of the pandemic, I was trapped in a city centre apartment. The early Covid soundtrack of ambulance sirens added to the claustrophobia and stress and I lost interest in the idea of photographing strangers in city streets. I began to long for nature, simplicity and open spaces. After the lockdown restrictions, I found myself gravitating to a quiet inland region in the Var, just over an hour away from the thronging coast in south eastern France.
My family and I make frequent trips to the small villages and to the forests, olive groves and vineyards in this region. Everything seems slower and less complicated here. We hike in the hills, swim in the rivers and lakes and we eat the fruit and vegetables that grow locally.
I slowly gather images of this tranquil location and I enjoy the slow and steady way of working. The photographs are an expression of my affection and gratitude for this soothing, peaceful place.
work in progress from Var, France
from 2023