I create for ‘Ma’. The spacial and temporal Japanese concept ‘Ma’ is the pure and essential void between things. It’s the emptiness full of possibilities, the pause that makes the music, the break that leads to breakthroughs and the fundamental quiet time we need to make our busy lives meaningful.

‘Ma’ is not just an inspiration for me, it’s a necessity. It’s my breathing space. It enables me to find and lose myself at the same time.

My work, just as my life, is an ongoing search for what is essential and what is excessive and for the associated fragile borders which are so easily crossed. In imbalance we can lose ourselves, staying true to ourselves is essential.

My minimalistic photos celebrate both the power and the beauty of stillness and simplicity.

Before I press my photographic pause button, there is no expected outcome. The shapes form as they please and the process is leading. Sometimes a short-lived balance suddenly arises within the ever-changing moment, I try to capture that. That balance gives me a sense of peace and it creates space, my ‘Ma’, a space where I can breath and be completely true to myself.

Mirka was recently selected as New Dutch Photography Talent 2020 and FRESH EYES European Photography Talent 2020 by GUP magazine.