Ep. #52: Reclaim the Past - Rebecca Simons on Turning Family History into Powerful Visual Narratives

🎙️ Welcome to Ep. #52 of The Urbanaut Podcast, presented in collaboration with Urbanautica.com. In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Finnish artist, educator, and curator Rebecca Simons. Her multidisciplinary work examines the complexities of family, trauma, and memory, offering immersive experiences that challenge conventional storytelling.

About Our Guest: Rebecca Simons

Rebecca Simons is a Swedish-speaking Finnish artist whose practice spans photography, video, installation, and community engagement. Her work delves into intergenerational trauma, exploring family dynamics and memory preservation through innovative methods. Based in the Netherlands, Rebecca is a teacher at Willem de Kooning Academy and a member of the SAAC (Sexually Abused Artists Collective). Her deeply personal yet collaborative approach has made her a vital voice in contemporary art.

Tune in to this episode to:

• Discover how Rebecca’s family history inspired her art and storytelling.


• Learn how she integrates archival materials, such as photographs and letters, into her work.


• Understand the impact of multidisciplinary art on addressing complex social issues.


• Explore her collaborative projects, such as Daughters and her work with SAAC.
  

Don’t forget to:

• Subscribe to our channel for more episodes diving into the world of art and photography.


• Like and share this episode to spotlight Rebecca’s important work.


• Follow us on social media for updates and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.
  

EPISODE LINKS:

Rebecca’s Website: rebeccasimons.com
SAAC Collective: saacamsterdam.com

OUTLINE:

0:00 - Coming Up…
2:48 - Rebecca’s background and introduction
5:14 - Transition from painting to photography as an interactive medium
7:39 - Multidisciplinary approach and artistic identity
20:17 - Personal storytelling as a tool for healing and dialogue
28:43 - Collaboration within her family and the healing process
33:08 - Using archival material to create layered narratives
42:11 - Immersive installations and their impact on viewers
56:58 - The role of resin in preserving memory and reclaiming narratives
1:13:54 - Rebecca’s involvement with SAAC and collective storytelling
1:21:21 - Thoughts and Advice for Artist and Image Makers

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#RebeccaSimons #TheUrbanautPodcast #Photography #MultidisciplinaryArt #TraumaHealing #SAAC #FamilyNarratives #ArchivalArt #ContemporaryPhotography #Urbanautica #PatrickLeeHubbard