Hinterland
Matt Wilson
2022 — Lithuania
About this series
Hinterland roams throughout rural Lithuania navigating a journey amidst once thriving communities, discovering villages all but vanished save for a handful of inhabitants. Chance encounters lead to a discovery of a complex and colorful past. Political upheavals, lifetimes of soil toiled by hand, alcoholism, poverty, joy, laughter and love—all colors that dominate this canvas.
In many respects Hinterland is a journey of lasts, The very last time a portrait of a person is taken, the very last image to be captured in this village, of that house before surrendering to the past, a photographic record that encapsulates life in its twilight hours, a final glimpse into a sometimes forgotten world and it’s inhabitants before vanishing completely. In many instances it will be the last photograph.
Photographer: Matt Wilson
Nationality: British
Based in: New York City, USA
Website: http://mattwilsonphotography.com
Instagram: @mattwilson_photography/
British, b 1969
Born in Kent, England, Matt Wilson ventured to New York City in 1989 where upon a friend gave him an old Nikon camera along with the suggestion he learn how to use it. Discovering the work of photographers such as the legendary Josef Koudelka & Helen Levitt and citing the beauty in every day occurrences as his inspiration, a love affair with his newfound craft began. Since then a camera has never been far from his grasp and as a result his photographic experiences have amounted to an archive of work that now spans over 20 years. His photographs have been exhibited internationally with a recent exhibition in December 2021 at Galerie Files du calvaire, Paris, France. His work has been featured in various publications worldwide and has gained recognition in various competitions such as American Photography 22 and The International Color Awards. In 2015 he was shortlisted for the Leica Oscar Barnack award.
Wilson’s work is represented by Galerie Filles du Calvaire, Paris. He resides in New York City.