Lonely, but Not Alone
These photos are co-created with teens from Orion Drostenburg College — students who are physically disabled or chronically ill. Together, we explored the theme of loneliness, but not in the way you might expect.
For these students, loneliness isn’t about being alone in an empty room. It’s that nagging feeling of being in a group but not belonging. When you feel excluded or bullied. Everyone is having fun except you. A full classroom or a busy schoolyard can suddenly become the loneliest place. Alone, everything is less fun, it’s boring, and time drags on. Everything feels heavier.
Together we made this feeling visible and turned it around. By collaborating and giving everyday objects new meaning, the students created a gesamtkunstwerk that doesn’t just show loneliness, but also connects.
Commissioned by Stichting Tamino
