Charmaine de Heij
Charmaine de Heij is a photographer based in The Hague and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Photography and a Master’s degree in Photography and Society from the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague. Her artistic practice is deeply influenced by her Surinamese and Dutch heritage, with a particular focus on colonialism and its lasting effects.
Photography is central to Charmaine’s work, but archives are also often used as a foundation. She reinterprets historical photographs and uses this method as a way of decolonising the archives.
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When she first saw the open call, it felt like a dream! As an artist who is passionate about shedding light on the impact of colonial legacies on contemporary society, this programme fits perfectly with Charmaine’s research and artistic practice. She believes it is crucial to continually learn and acquire new knowledge, and this opportunity offers that.
CDCD provides new experiences and perspectives, but the artist will also see how different countries approach similar issues. Charmaine looks forward to meeting and collaborating with others who shares her field of interest, engaging in meaningful dialogue, expanding her understanding, and applying new methodologies. This programme will allow her practice to grow and experiment and to create community-engaged art.
Charmaine is confident that she will learn a lot from the organisations and people involved and is excited about the new collaborations in the future.
The digital reflection Untitled, created by Charmaine de Heij, resonates with and responds to the experiences gained during her one-month residency at Pro Progressione in Budapest, Hungary. It not only reflects on the residency itself but also extends into the post-production phase, exploring the ongoing processes and transformations that follow the residency experience.
© Charmaine de Heij / CDCD Project, 2025
All rights reserved. The digital reflection is protected under EU copyright law. Reuse or reproduction requires prior consent from the artist and the CDCD project.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the EACEA can be held responsible for them.
