Dirk H. Wilms (German, born 1966) is an artist whose work consists primarily of conceptual staged self-portraits. Mortality, sexuality, and identity are recurring themes throughout his work. 

Never willing to compromise his artistic vision, Wilms uses photography to record and elaborate auto-biographical stories and personal life events, focusing on his own body as an expressive vehicle. Despite his introverted nature, he often depicts himself as a nude figure in his compositions, seeking to recast the male nude as something insecure and vulnerable, rather than as a figure of strength. The result is a unique body of work in which contemporary photography, poetic approach and humour blend seamlessly.

“To me, photography means to breathe life and to express myself. It helps me to make my fears, my depressions and my nightmares visible to those who care to see,” he said. “The positive reactions have shown me that other people can also find themselves in my work. It isn't my wish to represent only myself.”

His work has been featured in art, culture, and gay magazines internationally and can be found in a variety of collections.

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“Dirk H. Wilms defines himself as an introvert, suffering from social anxiety. His photographs are self-portraits that could be regarded as cathartic and redeeming. He tells his life story through these documents as different life chapters that will act as his autobiography. His use of props evokes the work of American artist Cindy Sherman, an artist who also relies on self-portraiture to tell stories of self-transformation and loss of identity while she explores human diversity, sexuality and stereotypes.” — Times, Malta

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Read a Biographical Statement