Hans Bouma

Hans Bouma (1955, Eindhoven) is an artist who focuses on creating delicate paper constructions, which he captures through tabletop photography. Objects are carefully positioned on a tabletop, with great attention to lighting and background. The creative process is a combination of patience and precision, as Hans uses paper to create an environment that invites the viewer to momentarily escape from everyday life.

Hans Bouma draws inspiration from nature. Memories of walks and journeys are reflected in his work. Color nuances, processes of change, and natural movements serve as important sources of inspiration. The origins of his images are often unrecognizable. The photographed paper constructions are too fragile to preserve. Themes in his work include transience, temporality, but also growth and recurring processes.

Since 2020, Hans Bouma has fully dedicated himself to this form of photography, but his artistic journey began much earlier. He worked as a communication advisor and coordinator at Kunsthal Hof88 in Almelo. In 2016, he decided to focus entirely on photography. Since then, his work has been exhibited in various locations, including the Fotogalerie Objektief in Enschede (2025), at the Cultural Association ’t Regthuys in Nieuwkoop, and the Stedelijk Museum in Almelo (2023). He has also participated in multiple events, such as the KunstSchouw in Burgh-Haamstede (2024), Kunstmaand Ameland (2024), SchouwArt Hengelo (2024), and the Open Studio Route Almelo.

Bouma’s photography is described by his colleague Henk Berends as "Fine Art Landscape Paperfold Photos." His work exudes a serene tranquility, allowing him to transport the viewer to a different, contemplative world. In his compositions, he aims to capture not only the external world but also his inner world.