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Stephan Kotas

ARIEL #1
120 x 92 cm
Wet plate photography on Banana Paper
2023

* Various Sizes of prints available upon request (XS, S, M, L & XL)
* Various Media of prints available upon request (Banana Paper, Japanese paper, Canvas & Palladium)

Indonesian actress Ariel pays homage to her Javanese heritage in a captivating image, dressed in traditional attire. The photograph emulates the classic 19th-century portrait style, with Ariel adopting a stiff pose reminiscent of the era. This intentional stiffness, a nod to the slow camera speeds of that time, adds an authentic touch, merging modern artistry with the timeless elegance of Javanese traditions. Ariel’s portrayal becomes a visual tribute, preserving the grace and formality of the past while celebrating the enduring beauty of her cultural roots. 

Stephan Kotas, originally from Prague, Czech Republic, has made Indonesia his home for nearly two decades. After a sucessful career in fashion and commercial photography he chose to step back from modern digital medium and make a shift towards the root of his craft.

He decided to bring wet plate photography process back to Indonesia. This half forgotten historical technique comes from 19th century and hasn’t been practiced here since.

For further inquiries please contact : +62 08211 357 5709
or email to : info.hadipranagallery@gmail.com