François Desjardins

"Francois Desjardins is an experimental photographic artist rooted in a “plasticienne” practice that explores the tension between image and reality. His work challenges the assumption that photography captures the “real,” instead highlighting its constructed and interpretive nature. From early staged compositions and darkroom experiments done as an art student in the 70’s, to current digitally layered works, Desjardins continues to exploit the full process of image-making. Inspired by the counterculture movements in contemporary photography, he seeks to amplify the distance between subject and image, prompting viewers to critically reconsider what they see. By layering multiple photographic elements, he invites exploration beyond recognition into a space of visual inquiry. His goal is not to repeat what has already been done or simply re-present what is seen, but to push the boundaries of contemporary photography as a creative, conceptual medium rather than a merely reproductive one."