D.H. Lawrence suggested a book lives as long as it is unfathomed. “Once a book is fathomed,” wrote Lawrence, “once it is known, and its meaning is fixed or established, it is dead”.

The underlying thread of Safe is not apparent. The viewer discerns its subjects through subtle indirections and fleeting revelations. This elusiveness is not only central to Van de Voorde’s repertoire, but is crucial to the way in which the photographs play on our imagination. In this sense, the book meets Lawrence’s criterion; we do not succeed in uncovering its meaning, but instead satisfaction is derived through the exploration of the contexts and layers of interpretive possibilities it presents.

– Sarah Jitjindar

All images ©Wouter Van de Voorde