Wouter Vanhees - AGAINST THE TIDE

Against the Tide is a contemplative photographic narrative by Wouter Vanhees, exploring the rhythm, resilience, and contradictions of contemporary Mumbai. Through a poetic balance of structure and emotion, Vanhees documents a city in constant motion — vibrant yet fragile, chaotic yet deeply human. His work reflects on how individuals find harmony amid the tension of modern life and urban transformation.

This personal reflection forms the heart of the project — an intimate dialogue between sound, image, and emotion. Inspired by the music of Pacifist and the friendship of Sidharth, Apurv, Ashish, Utkarsh, and Varun, Vanhees constructs a visual story that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant.

Against the Tide becomes more than a photographic journey; it is a meditation on balance, belonging, and the search for stillness within the noise of modern existence.

Wouter Vanhees (b. Belgium) is a fine art photographer whose work focuses on the interplay between people, architecture, and the passage of time within urban environments. After relocating to Hanoi, Vietnam, Mumbai, India, and today Seoul, Korea, Vanhees began documenting the city’s shifting identity amid rapid modernization. His photography reveals quiet moments of contemplation in the midst of change, exploring how individuals and spaces adapt to evolving social realities. His images have been exhibited internationally and featured in contemporary art and photography platforms.

Editing and sequencing: Wouter Vanhees & David Boon
Design: David Boon
96 pages
17 x 24 cm
English
Publication date: March 2025
ISBN: 9789464002577