Michelle Piergoelam

In the run-up to her solo exhibition ‘The Untangled Tales’, MINO ARTSPACE sat down with art photographer Michelle Piergoelam for a quick chat. Reflecting on the social role and responsibility of the artist. 

What role does an artist/art have in society?

I emphasise that, through my work, I attempt to counter the dominant, often problematic, documentation of Surinamese history and its cultural heritage. In my research, I learned that a large part of the Surinamese cultural memory has been passed down through oral storytelling, leaving little tangible documentation. By visualising these stories, I explain, thus aim to shine a new light on them, in order to prevent them from being forgotten. In my approach I underline that, through my work, I  hope to inspire alternative perspectives on photography and visual narration at large: ‘I start from reality, but then, I look at how I can offer a different angle on underexposed histories.’ 

Between which artists would you put yourself?

If I reflect on how my practice relates to critical approaches to storytelling, I would position myself alongside art photographers Kevin Osepa and Vasantha Yohananthan. 

What do you find the most challenging in the art world?

It is always a challenge to not merely illustrate the story  but rather translate it into images. I do this by adding small elements that appeal to the imagination so that you, as a viewer, can hopefully fill in the rest yourself, see what I also see.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Be out there and aware of everything and everyone in the area that you’re interested in and stay true to yourself and your working method.

Michelle Piergoelam’s work is on view at MINO Art Space from 12.05.23 until 18.06.23.