Matthieu Gafsou
About Matthieu Gafsou
Matthieu Gafsou (CH, 1981) lives and works in Lausanne. He pursued a multidisciplinary education at the University of Lausanne, graduating in cinema, philosophy, and literature. Subsequently, from 2006 to 2008, he studied photography at the School of Applied Arts in Vevey. Throughout his artistic career, he has won various awards, including the "Prix de la fondation HSBC pour la photographie" (2009), the "Prix culturel du canton de Vaud" (2015), and the "Prix de la maison Ruinart" (2022). Recently, he founded a photo agency called MAPS.
He focuses primarily on documentary photography, which is distinguished by its unconventional approach compared to other artists. Matthieu Gafsou combines various modalities, including reportages, architecture, landscape, and portraits.
Photographic approach of Matthieu Gafsou
Intrigued by the functioning of our society, Matthieu Gafsou frequently questions the potential pitfalls it may lead to, primarily through documentary photography. For instance, in his project "H+" (2015-2018), he chooses to document the omnipresent relationship between humans and technology. Gafsou also delves into lesser-known topics. In his project "Only God Can Judge Me" (2012-2014), he immerses himself in the daily lives of drug consumers in Lausanne.
Additionally, he addresses contemporary concerns, with the series "Alpes" and "Vivants" respectively exploring our relationship with nature and its exploitation, as well as the degradation of the environment by human societies.
As mentioned earlier, Gafsou employs a very flexible documentary approach. He is not hesitant to blend multiple modalities in representing phenomena. Moreover, to enhance the impact of his work on the audience, he sometimes deceives representation with images created by himself. The images often stand on their own, arranged in a way that invites viewers to contemplate the themes he addresses.
Exhibitions
Throughout his career, Matthieu Gafsou has participated in both group and solo exhibitions. His work has been showcased across Europe, including at Galerie C in Switzerland, Maison de la photographie in Lille, France, Rencontres d’Arles in France on two occasions, and at Hangar, in Brussels. Additionally, his work has been exhibited globally, reaching places such as Australia, Northern Ireland, and Los Angeles.
Art Book publications by Matthieu Gafsou
Matthieu Gafsou's projects are not solely represented through exhibitions; He almost systematically creates a book to accompany each project. In this regard, he is the author of numerous works, including "Surface" (Acte Sud, 2009), "Alpes" (19/80 Editions, 2013), "H+" (Actes Sud, 2018), and "Vivants" (Atelier EXB, 2023), available at Hangar Bookshop and the e-shop.