Abel Schaminée is a Dutch analog photographer based in Arnhem. He creates images with his self-built wooden camera, developing them with plant-based developers he makes himself. His work explores transformation, wonder, and the importance of not-knowing.
His self-built wooden camera grew out of a fascination with processes and material transformation. Together with an ecologist, he collected iron nodules on the Veluwe. With a blacksmith, he built a clay furnace to melt them, fired with charcoal made from oak wood. These materials became the ingredients for the wooden camera. The material became the medium.
Abel regularly collaborates with scientists such as palaeontologists, astronomers and geophysicists, as well as with artists and institutions. He graduated cum laude with a degree in Fine Arts from St. Joost School of Art & Design (Breda, 2021). His work has recently been shown at ARTIS (Amsterdam), Molenplaats Sonsbeek (Arnhem) and Stadsgalerij Breda (Breda). He is a member of BKA (Beeldende Kunst Arnhem). In 2026, Abel received a grant from Heij Konijn Fonds to support his artistic development.
Upcoming
2026 Workshops on Lumenprint techniques, Molenplaats Sonsbeek, Arnhem
Education
2009-2015 Havo, Citadel College, Lent
2015-2016 Pre-education Fine Arts, AKV | St. Joost, Breda
2016-2021 Bachelor Fine Arts, AKV | St. Joost, Breda - cum laude
2021-2022 Biodynamic Agriculture, Aeres MBO, Dronten (not completed)
Exhibitions & Processes
2026 Heij Konijn Fonds, Arnhem — grant recipient
2026 Guest lecturer, Master of Education in Arts, Hogeschool voor de Kunsten, Utrecht
2025 Collaboration with Flex-Ray lab of CWI Amsterdam – making and analysing X-ray images for research project
2025 Guest Speaker at ARTIS-Groote Museum, Amsterdam (November 16 2025)
2025 Pracht van de Nacht, exhibition, ARTIS, Amsterdam
2025 Co-founder of a photography collective with Risk Hazekamp and Jim van Hekke, exploring slow photography and collaboration across generations
2025 Solo exhibition, Analoog Studio Arnhem, Arnhem
2025 Collaboration with science journalist Roel van der Heijden – photographed the moon using my self-built pinhole camera and his handcrafted telescope; engaged the public in conversations about lunar observation
2025 Workshops on Lumenprint techniques, Molenplaats Sonsbeek, Arnhem
2025 Publication in Zevenblad#8, art magazine from Stichting Plaatsmaken, curated by Menno Wieringa & Inge Pollet
2025 Maanlicht, solo exhibition, Molenplaats Sonsbeek, Arnhem
2025 Residency project BIJ/NA, curated by Stedelijk Museum Breda and VanGoghGalerij, exhibition, Stadsgalerij Breda
2024 Supported by Sonnenborgh Observatory (Utrecht) and Sterrenwacht Corona Borealis (Zevenaar) through the loan of telescopes for analogue photographic research connecting astronomy and image-making
2024 First Contact, exhibition, Analoog Studio Arnhem, Arnhem
2024 Collaboration with photographer Risk Hazekamp exploring natural printing processes using plant-based developers
2024 Publication in Anthotype emulsions volume 3, World Anthotype Day 2024, alternativephotography.com
2021 Shared Stewardship, The Linen Project, Ecoboerderij de Lingehof, Randwijk
2021 NOW SHOW, graduation show, AKV | St. Joost, Breda
2020 DE}WEG}GAANS}WEEK, exhibition, Nieuwe Ginnekenstraat 11-13, Breda
2019 Workshop with Risk Hazekamp, Master Interior Architecture, Academy of Fine Arts & Design, Maastricht
2019 Manifestaties, third year AKV | St. Joost, Breda
2017 Ontstaan/Bestaan, exhibtion, Atrium, AKV | St. Joost, Breda