Modern Masters

We have such a huge appreciation for artists who surprise us by unexpectedly transforming ordinary and mundane objects into impressive works of art. Photographer Suzanne Jongmans‘ higher calling involves transforming discarded packing foam and recycled insulation materials into dramatic costumes inspired by 16th and 17th century Flemish and Dutch paintings. Merging elements from the past and present, Jongman has effectively changed our perception of waste. And the results are simply striking.

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31 Comments

  1. I am utterly amazed by the collar on the boy. The work that must have gone into it… ! Please keep these coming, always incredible to discover what people do with unusual materials.

    Paola

    http://www.ThePvdHJournal.com

    6.6.12
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  2. dianna wrote:

    very different, but interesting…eyecatching.

    6.6.12
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  3. Nomadic D wrote:

    My god, these are amazing. Love to see people’s minds working in crazy ways, and when it’s so exquisitely executed, well, it’s just a joy to see!

    http://nomadic-d.blogspot.com/

    6.6.12
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  4. Kat wrote:

    That is awesome! Great execution. I had to look closer for a moment and of course the post confirms and says it all!

    I’ve got about a kajillion sheets of bubble wrap at work. I need to see what we can come up with. This gives me an idea!

    6.6.12
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  5. tina wrote:

    amazing! so many layers of creativity on display.

    6.6.12
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  6. Domonique wrote:

    This is so beautiful, thanks for sharing I wouldn’t have came across this otherwise!

    http://lilylovelock.blogspot.co.uk/
    x

    6.6.12
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  7. Not my style, but still haunting to look at.

    xoxo
    ~Natasha Fatah~
    ~Natasha Fatah~

    6.6.12
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  8. azrakun wrote:

    This is great: using discarded, yet modern materials to recreate past images… I thoroughly enjoy this..

    http://www.azrakunworld.com

    6.6.12
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  9. Wow, so beautiful, and lovely that the medium is a recycled product!
    Xo

    http://wildthingsrunfaster.blogspot.ca/

    6.6.12
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  10. Tabetha wrote:

    I just adore it! How clever {& she really, really captured the look flawlessly}

    6.6.12
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  11. Mischelle wrote:

    the las meninas one is my favorite!

    6.6.12
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  12. Wow, these are so lovely! What a great concept.

    xxx
    http://www.thriftedandmodern.com

    6.6.12
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  13. Xeana wrote:

    This is amazing! A wonderful idea! Photos really like, as the old prints and tapestries.

    From http://www.xeanafashion.com

    6.6.12
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  14. Kinda creepy, gorgeous nevertheless.

    6.6.12
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  15. Wow…these are really cool!

    6.6.12
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  16. soo wrote:

    wait, these are REAL people? so creepy! awesome, but creepy…

    http://mybabykins.com

    6.6.12
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  17. Anna wrote:

    Love the inspirational post… I’m obsessed with these high collars!
    Anna
    jewelry subscription boxes

    6.6.12
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  18. Carol wrote:

    Nice post!!!
    Take a look on my blog, I’m posting looks, windows and tips from Los Angeles :

    http://www.thegavlaks.com

    6.6.12
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  19. Wow! very intriguing!

    6.6.12
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  20. fun interesting styling!

    Bises,
    monkeyshines
    http://monkeyshines-monkeyshines.blogspot.com/

    6.6.12
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  21. Lieke wrote:

    so cool!

    Reminds me a little bit of the self-portrait series of Nina Katchadourian, who took pictures of herself in Flemish style during long airplane flights in the lavatory with nothing more than what is available at the airplane (toilet papers etc). It isn’t as detailed or esthetic as the photos to show here, but certainly as awesome: http://www.ninakatchadourian.com/photography/sa-flemish.php

    6.7.12
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  22. Kinda creepy…

    6.7.12
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  23. Speechless. There is for a strong content!!!
    Also thank you Lieke. They are incredibly funny and beautiful in their own way

    http://charity-to-charity.blogspot.co.uk/

    6.7.12
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  24. I want to give this artist a cookie. Seriously, badass.

    6.7.12
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  25. Aja` wrote:

    This is such a new take on trash becoming art work. I love it! My favs are the child’s dress and the last photo on the left of the lace collar. On the boy’s ruffle collar, I wonder if the artist burned the edges to produce that look?

    http://www.etsy.com/shop/mienkintoshfairie

    6.7.12
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  26. Suzanne wrote:

    Amazing! and thank you to Lieke for the referral to nina’s :”Flemish” photos. what I want to know is what inspired her “spontaneous” impulse to put a toilet seat cover on her head in the first place? Her muse must have been busy getting her attention!

    I appreciate Ms. Jongman’s re-use of otherwise useless materials. The photos are ethereal and really do look like portraits. I could see them in one of the special media offered these days for photo processing–I think there is one that provides a surface similar to brush strokes.

    6.7.12
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  27. Nirmala Sherchan wrote:

    Never Seen anything so chic ! definitely wanting it 🙂

    6.8.12
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  28. Lluna wrote:

    The little girl’s picture is inspired by Las Meninas by Diego de Velazquez (Spain, 17th Century).

    6.8.12
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  29. Anon wrote:

    These photos are similar to portraits by Hendrik Kerstens of his daughter, using every day items like a plastic bag, a towel, or a lampshade.
    http://www.hendrikkerstens.com/pages/lampshade.html

    6.12.12
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  30. Frankie wrote:

    I love this, this is beautiful.

    6.20.12
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