Warmer Than the Sun - (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A tender and intimate photographic exploration of the mother-daughter bond by Elise Corten. Text in English, Dutch and French.

Warmer than the Sun by Elise Corten is a deeply intimate analog photographic exploration of the mother-daughter relationship. Over an extended period, Corten documents her mother through portraits and still life imagery, revealing moments of closeness, dialog, and mutual discovery. The work navigates the delicate balance between personal and universal experience, portraying the mother not solely as a parental figure but as an individual with her own identity, desires, and transformations. Through daily rituals and tender observations, Corten captures both the physical and emotional changes experienced by her mother, while simultaneously reflecting on her own perspective as a daughter and photographer. The resulting visual narrative is at once sensual, empathetic, and candid, offering viewers an immersive insight into the complexities of maternal intimacy.
Previous essays by art historian Lise De Ganck contextualize the series within contemporary photographic and conceptual practices, emphasizing its significance in exploring family, identity, and the passage of time. Featured internationally in publications such as Lenscratch, Analog Magazine, and Photobook Journal, Warmer than the Sun is a compelling work for photography lovers, curators, and readers, especially moms and daughters, interested in contemporary portraiture, autobiographical art, and visual storytelling.

Text in English, Dutch and French.

About the Author

Elise Corten is a Belgian photographer whose work focuses on intimate, autobiographical narratives and contemporary portraiture. Through projects such as Warmer than the Sun, she explores themes of family, identity, and human relationships with sensitivity and conceptual rigor. Corten's photography combines meticulous observation with narrative sequencing, capturing both the emotional and physical landscapes of her subjects. Her work has been featured internationally, including in Lenscratch, Analog Magazine, Photobook Journal, and exhibitions at Hangar Photo Art Center, and CCHA in November 2025. She continues to expand her practice through projects that blend personal experience with universal themes, positioning her as a significant voice in contemporary Belgian photography. Corten currently lives and works in Belgium.