René Vogelzang

Artists biography

René Vogelzang is a Sydney based exhibiting photographer. René's passion for landscape photography is driven by the exploration of his sense of place & belonging. Born in Holland before emigrating to Australia as a child, he has a fascination with the spiritual and emotional impact that different landscapes have on each of us and of how we form bonds with new and unfamiliar places while retaining strong links to our places of origin. As a long time resident in Sydney's Inner West René's work also explores the impact on our sense of belonging as our familiar environment changes around us and transforms touchstone landmarks into new landscapes and cityscapes.

René has lived in Holland, Belgium and France for extended periods and travelled & worked extensively throughout Asia and particularly, in Shanghai, gaining an insight into the influence of different cultures and environments on our connection to the landscape and its stories.

René has exhibited in numerous solo and group shows including at the Sydney Discovery Museum, NSW State Parliament, and in Zuhai, China. His work has been recognised by awards from the NSW Parliamentary Plein Air Photography Prize. René is a founding partner of Discovery Photographers, an Australian landscape photography teaching organisation and photographers community. 

Current work and inspiration

The restrictions on movement during the 2020 Covid19 lock-down period turned out to be an opportunity to explore the local neighbourhood and provided a backdrop to the mental adjustment required to cope with these conditions. René's series of photographs titled “Pandemical morning walks – a suburban lexicon” expresses a deepening attachment to the local area through humorous compositions and word associations.

Website and social media links

website: www.rainbirdsong.com