About

A black and white photo of a young man sitting on a rolling office chair, with his eyes closed, wearing a beanie, dark jacket, dark pants, and sneakers, against a plain light background.

I am a visual artist and alumnus of the Utrecht School of the Arts (HKU) and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). Working across photography, installation, artist books, and archival research, my practice explores the ways images shape personal and collective narratives.

Photography serves as a tool for investigating social, cultural, and anthropological questions. Through collecting, combining, and recontextualising visual material, I construct new narratives that blur the boundaries between memory, history, and imagination.

Driven by curiosity and a commitment to experimental forms of storytelling, my work seeks unexpected connections between people, places, and images. I invite you to explore my projects or visit my studio in ’s-Hertogenbosch.

Contact

Wesley Doran

h‍allo@wesleydoran.com +31 (0)643938317

Nova Zembla ateliers

Sint Josephstraat 20

5211NJ 's-Hertogenbosch

Exhibition, publications, awards

2026

Galerie Ron Mandos, Amsterdam,NL

Best of Graduates - Selected participant in the annual exhibition showcasing emerging graduates from Dutch art academies

Winner ‘De Beeldmakers 8#’, Amsterdam, NL

Winner - The search for creative talent organized by Het Parool, the communications agency Vandejong, and Amsterdam Museum Night

Keep an eye stipendium (nominated), Utrecht, NL

Photography stipendium - The decision will be announced 3 September

Stadsgasten, Theater aan de Parade,Den Bosch, NL

Keti Koti Edition, Theater aan de Parade, exhibited work and video contribution

Exposure, Utrecht, NL

Grad show - HKU Exposure is a vibrant festival featuring art across all disciplines. Hundreds of young, creative artists showcase their work to the general public in the heart of Utrecht.

2025

AG, Utrecht, NL

Group exhibition - Genesis of Gestures

De Noorderlicht Biënnale, Groningen, NL

Group exhibition - student call

‘Het Nest’ , ‘s-Hertogenbosch, NL

Artist in residence / Solo Exhibition

2024

Joan Flasch Artists' Book Collection Chicago, US

‘Halfbloed’ Book - permanent collection, purchased by SAIC

SAIC 280 building cabinet exhibition, Chicago, US

Structuring, sequencing and series temporary exhibition

BredaPhoto, Beam Night, Breda, NL

BredaPhoto and FOTODOK have selected international talents who deserve their place in the spotlight.

BredaPhoto International talent program (ITP) Utrecht/ Brussels NL/BE

Attendee - The BredaPhoto International Talent Program (ITP) is a European collaborative project of BredaPhoto and several European art academies. Its goal is to scout and support emerging photography talent in Europe. This is done in different stages of these talents' careers.

Don’t mind the mash Utrecht, NL

Exhibitor and project manager, KABUL à GoGo

Education

University of the arts Utrecht 

Photography 

School of the Art Institute of Chicago 

Fine Art/Exchange

SintLucas 

Multi media design

Media

Fotograaf Wesley Doran is Beeldmaker van Het Parool: ‘De foto’s van mijn oma doen haar nu eindelijk eer aan’

https://www.parool.nl/kunst-media/fotograaf-wesley-doran-is-beeldmaker-van-het-parool-de-foto-s-van-mijn-oma-doen-haar-nu-eindelijk-eer-aan~bef70d3c/

Fotograaf Wesley Doran (32) en illustrator Debbie Tea (40) zijn de winnaars van de achtste editie van De Beeldmakers, de speurtocht naar creatief talent van Het Parool, communicatiebureau Vandejong en Museumnacht Amsterdam.

https://www.parool.nl/kunst-media/fotograaf-wesley-doran-en-illustrator-debbie-tea-zijn-de-nieuwe-beeldmakers-en-laten-hun-werk-zien-in-het-parool~b93dc45c/