About
Marie-Louise Hodge (b. 1992) is an artist and photographer based in Amsterdam. Her passion for storytelling was ignited at a young age by her mother’s stories of their family’s heritage in Suriname and Curaçao. Growing up in the Netherlands, Hodge found a deep connection to her roots through these stories, which became a significant source of inspiration for her art.
Fashion and dance became early forms of self-expression for Hodge. Inspired by her father’s creativity and the diverse personal styles she encountered on the streets, Hodge developed a keen eye for vibrant colours and cultural expressions within fashion and movement.
While studying at Ar.Co in Lisbon, she found her voice in visual storytelling through photography, using the camera to tell the untold stories of diaspora communities. Her work explores the interconnectedness of social issues and colonial history, seamlessly bridging art and activism.
Hodge’s art and photography is a celebration of black culture and resilience that challenges perceptions and inspires dialogue.
Cova da Moura – Dexa Mundo Papia
Her latest autonomous documentary project Cova da Moura – Dexa Mundo Papia (Let the world talk) – sheds light on the neighbourhood and community of Cova da Moura – a self built neighbourhood on the outskirts of Lisbon with a predominant population of migrants from the former Portuguese colonies which is in danger of being demolished. The project has been made over the course of 2 years, in which Hodge conducted interviews with the residents, photographed their lives and taught photography classes to children from the community.
www.covadamoura.com
Selected Clients & Publications
Leger des Heils, Gemeente Amsterdam, ELLE, Ambo|Anthos uitgevers, Daily Paper, Havana Club, Het Koninklijk Concertgebouw, Jan Magazine, de Groene Amsterdammer, Afrostyle Magazine, Bruut, Comfort Club, Hogeschool van Amsterdam, Bijlmer & Meer, Stichting Zichtbaar, Sonder People, Stichting Going Social.
Exhibitions
2024
- “A personal journey through Carnival: Documenting cultural expressions in Aruba” in collaboration with architect Zaira Pourïer, Bibliotheek Rotterdam, 25 July – 8 September (current)
- Cova da Moura, Gemaal op Zuid, Rotterdam, 8 December 2023 – 3 April 2024
2023
- Mosaiko expo: From Necessity Comes Creativity, Oscam, Amsterdam (group) 9 September
- Cova da Moura – Dexa Mundo Papa, Loja Dentu Zona, Cova da Moura, 26 August
- Cova da Moura – Dexa Mundo Papia, Bar Bario, Amsterdam (solo), 28 June – 9 July
- Resistance, Heesterveld 75, Amsterdam (group), 30 June – 22 July
- Cova da Moura – Dexa Mundo Papia, Keti Koti festival Haarlemmermeer, 1 July
- Prospects by Mondriaanfonds, Art Rotterdam (group) 9 – 12 February
Honours
2021 – Recipient of the young talent grant (kunstenaar start) from Mondriaan Fund.
2019 – Winner of the young talent contest in the category photography from fashion brand Daily Paper and Havana Club