Lieke Winters works as a nurse until she is diagnosed with a rare muscle disease in 2015 and becomes a patient instead of a caregiver. She feels the strength in her arms and legs diminish, but doctors cannot find anything. A long and alarming diagnostic process follows: she feels unheard and unseen. Winters becomes angry, frustrated, and feels desperate and powerless. What helps is taking photos. With associative images – focusing on herself and nature – she tries to give shape to her feelings.

Healthcare in the Netherlands is becoming increasingly dehumanized. "For years, I was sent from pillar to post with my physical complaints, resulting in being excluded from proper care."

"Photography has become my lifeline and voice, as a visual medium. Because my words had no impact. My story is not unique. With this project, I also want to give others a voice."

In addition to the photos, 'prescriptions' are also part of the presentation. These are the familiar doctor's notes, with 'prescriptions' (in audio form) that Winters was sent home with: 'It will pass on its own', 'It's nothing physical', 'We can't find anything', and 'We can't do anything for you'.

“The view of the other. That is the essence. We exist only through the view of the other.”

(Emmanuel Levinas).

At the end of the exhibition a handmade booklet will be published in a limited edition, containing texts, 'prescriptions', and various photos from the exhibition. The proceeds will be donated to the Dutch Association for Muscle Diseases.

Lieke Winters (Eindhoven, 1980) was trained as a nurse. Due to a muscle disease, she can no longer practice her profession. In 2015, she started photographing. As a photographer, she is self-taught but attended workshops at CKE, Jan Dijkshoorn, and Eli Dijkers.

Nature and humans are central to her work. The uniqueness of the everyday continues to amaze her.

www.liekewinters.nl