ABOUT
Monique Belier is a Dutch photographer with a background in dance. Her work explores the intersection of movement, memory, the body, and the psyche. She graduated from the Photo Academy in Amsterdam in 2023 with the photo artist book Where the Spirit Meets the Bone, which was published in two editions and is now sold out. The book was distributed internationally and stocked in bookshops such as Tipi Bookshop in Brussels, Le Bal in Paris, and others in Milan, Lisbon, London, and more. It also found a place in photobook libraries in Salzburg and Barcelona, and was curated by esteemed institutions including Huis Marseille and Foam in Amsterdam.
In 2023, she was selected as a Fresh Eyes Talent and presented her work at Haute Photography and the OFF Bratislava Festival. Her book was named one of the best photobooks of the year by Robin Titchener. In 2024, Belier’s solo show Inner Movement opened at Atelier K84 in Amsterdam. She was shortlisted for the Athens Photo Festival, exhibited at Corporeality in Paris, and was a semi-finalist at Head On in Sydney.
Belier is currently developing In Search of Nijinsky, a multidisciplinary project on the dancer’s legacy. She released a zine Field Notes following a research trip for her project In Search of Nijinsky, to Switzerland, presented at the Pennings Foundation Photo Festival. In 2025, she is artist-in-residence at Tuingoed Bonater in the Netherlands, where she continues her research into embodied history, the psyche, and transformation. Her new book, In Search of Nijinsky, is set for release in early 2026.
Artist Statement
My work explores the human psyche, memory, and the challenge of giving form to emotions for which words often fall short.
I focus on emotional landscapes such as grief, longing, ecstasy, and rupture, which I attempt to capture through movement and somatic presence. Many of my images reflect a deep-rooted fear of disappearing or being unseen, themes closely tied to my experiences with depression and panic since 2017.
In my practice, I move between archival research, landscape exploration, portraiture, and storytelling. I search for movements that usually go unnoticed but reveal something essential about inner experiences. The stories that emerge are raw and personal, yet at the same time universal and recognisable. I invite viewers to find reflections of themselves in my work, where inner movement is carried equally by the body and the landscape.
Exhibitions Coming up & Current
Exhibitions / Festivals Past
2025 | Photobook Festival Penningsfoundation, Eindhoven - NL
2025 | Book exhibition, Planet of Zines, The Blank Gallery, Tokyo, curated by Anne Murayama - JP
2025 | Peckham 24, Photo Book fair London, With ‘Where the spirit meets the bone’ represented by Searchia Gallery - UK
2025 | Solo exhibition ‘Inner Movement’ de Oude Meisjesschool in Bovenkarspel - NL
2024 | Head On Photo festival, Group exhibition, Sydney - AUS
2024 | Photobook Fair Contretype, Brussels - BE
2024 | Fotoboeken Festival and Interview, Rietveldpaviljoen, Amersfoort - NL
2024 | Art Icon Group Exhibition "Corporeality" Bastille district, Paris - FR
2024 | Polycopies, Paris - FR
2024 | Miss Read Photo Book Fair, Berlin - DE
2024 | Between Books, Kunsthalle Düsseldorf Art Book Fair - DE
2024 | Unseen book market, Self Publishers United, Amsterdam - NL
2024 | Solo Exhibition ‘Inner Movement’ atelier K84, Amsterdam - NL
2024 | Photo Book Table event in collaboration with Self Publishers United - NL
2024 | Leipzig Photobookfestival, Selfpublishers United - DE
2024 | Reflection of Time (Group) Expo at Arti Pop Gallerie, Den Bosch - NL
2024 | Calabro Gallery, Group Openings Exhibition, Zurich - CH
2023 | DRUK Art-book Festival, Paradiso, Amsterdam - NL
2023 | Pim Pam Foto Festival, ‘Where the spirit meets the bone’, Barcelona - ES
2023 | Solo Exhibition & release second edition of ‘Where the spirit meets the bone’ De Engelbewaarder, curated by Evelien Schotsman - Amsterdam,NL
2023 | Arle Les Rencontres Photo Festival, Represented by Tipi Photobook shop - FR
2023 | Paris Photo, Polycopies, Paris, with ‘Where the spirit meets the bone, represented by Setanta books, - FR
2023 | OFF Bratislava photo festival ‘Where the spirits meets the bone’, Bratislava - SK
2023 | Haute Photography Book launch & group exhibition FRESH EYES, international talent by GUP, Amsterdam - NL
2023 | UNSEEN book market, Westergasfabriek, with ‘Where the spirit meets the bone’ , Amsterdam - NL
2023 | Expo Emergo, graduation exhibition, Loods 6 - Amsterdam - NL
2023 | My Girl with the Pearl, Mauritshuis, Den Haag - NL
2022 | Het Oog, group exhibition, Fotoacademie, Amsterdam - NL
Residencies
2025 / 2026 Tuingoed Bonater - NL
Awards / Grants / Nominations
2024 | 1839 Photographer of the Year Awards, Nominated - VS
2024 | Bifa Awards, Bronze, Portfolio (other )’In Search of Nijinsky’, Budapest - HU
2024 | Head On Photo Festival, Semi Finalist, Sydney - AU
2024 | IPA, Honourable mention ‘Lena’ Portraits/People - VS
2024 | FAPA Fine Art Photography Award Nominations
2024 | Athens Photofestival shortlisted - GR
2024 | The Artist photo book, selected by Origini Edizioni - IT
2024 | Monochrome Awards, Honorable Mention, Professional Conceptual Category 2024
2023 | IPA, Honourable mention ‘Where the spirit meets the bone’ - VS
2023 | IPA, Official Selection in the International Photography Awards - VS
2023 | Fresh Eyes international talent, powered by GUP - NL
2023 | OFFBratislava, OFF Libris, Selected to be showcased ‘Where the spirit meets the bone’ - SK
Publications / Clients / Features
2025 | Imago 3, Published by Galleria Tilde, Palermo - IT
2025 | Anarchyº2, Published by Anne Murayama, Ephemere Printed in Tokyo, Japan - JP
2025 | Noord Hollands Dagblad, interview ‘Inner Movement’ by Nanska van de Laar - NL
2024 | ‘L intervalle blog, interview and publication of ‘Where the spirit meets the bone’ by Fabian Ribery
2024 | Dutch Film Festival, Utrecht Central Station, Portraits of Cia Syrroes & Asma el Mouden (Wie is het?) - NL
2024 | Parool, Publicatie, review by Peter van Brummelen ‘Inner Movement - NL
2024 | Immemory Magazine, Instagram publication - GB
2024 | Focus Magazine, Online publication ‘Inner movement’ - NL
2024 | Solo Journal, Instagram takeover - GB
2024 | Photo art books Recommendation List ‘Where the spirit meets the bone’ - ES
2024 I Dance For you Magazine, Printed publication ‘Where the spirit meets the bone’ - DE
2023 | Robin Titchener’s Photo Book List 2023 - UK
2023 | Photo 31, Sunday with Monique Belier, online feature - NL
2023 | Darkroom Session Newsletter by Isabel Hernández, ‘Where the spirit meets the bone’ - ES
2023 | Kiekie Tabloid, Publication book ‘Where the spirit meets the bone’ - NL
2023 | Book, Camera Acting, Roel Twijnstra, Publication portrait of Andre Dongelmans - NL
2023 | Safelight Paper, Project (book) ‘Where the spirit meets the bone’ (website stories and instagram) - DE
2023 | PF photo magazine, Books - NL
2023 | Fotolab Kiekie, insta take over - NL
2023 | Parool, PS magazine, ‘Het beste volgens PS’ ‘Where the spirit meets the bone’ - NL
2023 | Gup Fresh Eyes, Publication - NL
2023 | Dans Magazine, Publication ‘Where the spirit meets the bone’ Printed Photo series - NL
2023 | Dansdocent.nu, ‘Where the spirit meets the bone’, Printed Photo series - NL
2023 | Artists-Ability, Press photos Andre Dongelmans - NL
2023 | Interview Playboy, Portrait of Andre Dongelmans - NL
2023 | Mauritshuis Den Haag, ‘My girl with the pearl’ Photo feature - NL
2023 | Carli Singer & Songwriter, Cover Art - NL
2023 | Photo Vogue Italia, Digital Photo Feature - IT
2023 | Galerie Calabrovska Zurich, Artist in Focus, Online Feature - CH
2022 | WestFries Krant Newspaper, Westfries Portret (monthly column) - NL
2022 | Photo Vogue Italia, Digital Photo Feature - IT
2022 | Kunstbende, Roscharch Collective, Portrait - NL
2021 | NHD Vrij magazine, Zomerbijlage, Printed interview - NL
2021 | NH-Nieuws, Small Town Boy, Published Project - NL
2021 | De Drom, Newspaper, Small Town Boy, Printed Project - NL
2021 | NRC, Newspaper ‘Small Town Boy’ Printed Project & Interview - NL
2021 | Cinecrowd filmproject, De dansende man’, Andrè Dongelmans, Online publication - NL
2020 | Dupho newsletter (Mei 2020), Online Photo Feature - NL
2020 | Merik Spitteler, Singer & Songwriter, Cover Art - NL
2019 | Tenachon, ‘Sterke Vrouw’, Seven Portraits, Printed Publication - NL
2018 | Zoom.nl, Course book, sluitertijd & diafragma, Printed Publication - NL
Bookshops, points of sale
Huis Marseille (Amsterdam), The Photo Book Corner (Lisbon), Tipi Bookshop (Brussels), Maria Inc (Barcelona), Self Publishers United (Amsterdam), Leporello Bookshop (Rome), Athenaeum Boekhandel (Amsterdam), Setanta Books (London), LE BAL Books (Paris), Guest Editions (London), Serchia Gallery (Bristol) FOAM (Amsterdam) Ballon Rouge (Rotterdam)
Collections
2023 | Fotohof Photo Library in Salzburg - Where the spirit meets the bone
2025 | Biblioteca Augusti Centelles in Barcelona - Where the spirit meets the bone
Writing
2022 | Monthly Column West Frisian Newspaper
2019 | Godijn Publishing, Short story ‘The Hike’ Short story novel ‘Verloren zielen’
2018 | Godijn Publishing, Short Story ‘Ben’ Short story novel ‘Grijze klever’
2018 | Metro Nieuws, Short story ‘Jurk’
Books / Magazines
2025 | FIELD NOTES-Zine from field trip to Switzerland as part of my ongoing project ‘In Search of Nijinsky’. First edition of 30 / Rare edition of 20, self-published
2024 | Temps Mort, collective book edited by Raymond Meeks, created during Palm Tree Workshops
2023 | Where the spirit meets the bone, second edition (Sept. 2023) of 150 self-published
2023 | Where the spirit meets the bone, first edition (May 2023) of 100 self-published (sold out)
2021 | Small Town Boy, Magazine, 80 copies (sold out) self-published
Reviews / Interviews / Other
2025 | Fieldtrip to Switzerland as part of my book project, ‘In Search of Nijinsky’
2024 | Interview / Talk with Twan Vet about:' ‘Where the spirit meets the bone’, Photobook festival RietveldPaviljoen in Amersfoort - NL
2024 | Review by Volkmar Draeger, Dance For You Magazine - DE
2024 | Book Presentation / Artist talk, Zocherlounge, Bloemendaal - NL
2024 | Curator recurring exhibitions at literair café ‘De Engelbewaarder’ (With Ringel Goslinga, since november 2023) Amsterdam - NL
2024 | Member of Atelier Néerlandais - FR
2023 | Part and founder of lens-based collective ‘Beeldverbond’ - NL
2023 | Represented by Maria Inc. - ES
2023 | Represented by Self Publishers United - NL
2023 | Review by Robin Titchener, Photo book, Where the spirit meets the bone - UK
2023 | Review by Alex Prior, Photo book, Where the spirit meets the bone - UK
2023 | Editors pick Hue & Eye Magazine, Interview Digital - NL
2021 I Interview Talkshow ‘Nieuw Amsterdam’ Pakhuis de Zwijger - NL
2021 I Interview Weeff Radio ‘Small Town Boy’ - NL
Education / Workshops / Masterclasses
2024 | Temps Mort -Exploring a slow, serial aesthetic, workshop by Raymond Meeks, Palm Tree Workshops, Santorini - GR
2024 | Masterclass ‘The Artist photobook - The Making Of’ at Origini Edizioni by Ilias Georgiadis, Eugenia Koval, Matilde Vittoria Laricchia, Livorno - IT
2018-2023 | BA Fotoacademie Amsterdam, graduated in may 2023
2019 | Magnum Learning Course, Storytelling, Alec Soth
2018 | Masterclass Lightshaping, Brendan de Clercq - NL
2017 | Pré-course photography digital, Fotoacademie Amsterdam, Mike Harris