Hellen van Meene (Hon FRPS)

Wales and Worms Head

Gwen John: Strange Beauties, National Museum Cardiff 7 February to 28 June 2026 A once‑in‑a‑generation exhibition marking her 150th birthday, bringing together rarely seen works from Amgueddfa Cymru and collections around the world. Gwen John saw the world differently: quietly, attentively, and with extraordinary depth. That way of looking shaped everything, from her sitters and their poses to her colours and her method. Walking through the rooms, I felt an immediate connection to her precision and the way she considered every small shift in a sitter’s posture. The restraint, the concentration, the stillness, all held with clarity. It is striking and heartbreaking to be reminded that she had only one solo exhibition during her lifetime, despite the strength and modernity of her vision. The exhibition invites you to slow down, look closer, and see the world through Gwen’s eyes. Unmissable for anyone who cares about the quiet intensity of looking. #GwenJohn #StrangeBeauties #NationalMuseumCardiff #AmgueddfaCymru #WelshArt BritishArt WomenArtists ModernArt GwenJohn150 ArtExhibition CardiffArts MuseumVisit Portraiture QuietLooking ArtHistory HellenVanMeene

Looking at my hands: they remind me of my mother's

It all started with an Instagram post for models who are willing to pose nude for me! Friends who know me, know that I never share new photos especially when I am in the middle of the project and working on it. Why am I making an exception now? I hired a priory from the 13th century in the countryside and I invited 3 women to come over. They lived quite close so that was very practical. We didn't know each other, it turned out we are all 10 years apart from each other. The openness, the warmth and the trust made a bond I will never forget. It was so special with each other, I so strongly needed to let you know that magic can happen even when you don't know each other, but intuition and trust is there to guide . My heart is full of warmth with new memories and the photos to prove it. Special thanks to Frank my husband who took care of us by cooking. Thank you @everybodylovesjuno who was there to give his cuddles for free @stereoparty Ps The photo is a screenshot from my camera and not a final result yet!

Another new adventure in my work. So excited to be in this beautiful priory Catering by @stereoparty My beautiful models @marshwitchstudio Drawings of Juno by @marshwitchstudio @floorlengthfrankie and @eleanor_tennyson Together making new 📷

From the old box...

In 1999 I received the Charlotte Köhler Prize, an encouragement award from the Cultuurfonds for young artists in the Netherlands. It supported my early development at a moment - only three years after graduating from the Rietveld Academy - when I was shaping the visual language that still guides my work. Today I returned for the award ceremony, this time not as a laureate, but for the ceremony and a short interview for a video about how the prize can shape an artist’s path. Congratulations to this year's winners! #charlotteköhlerprijs #cultuurfonds

Spring is coming and my little girls are now grown woman! Time flies ... Original xs70 polaroid no longer made 😑 @vedaeyk @noa10lollo

From the series " And everything goes on when you die" 2018

Beautiful Bo

#internationalwomansday #march8

This week, a new chapter opens in my journey as a photographer. For now I'm leaving behind the world of childhood portraits and stepping into a realm shaped by maturity, softness, and strength. where women in their thirties stand before my lens, unadorned, unguarded, and beautifully themselves.