Matt Chaim de Groot

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Chaim de Groot (1969) was born in Amsterdam and grew up in Israel where conflicts and contradictions in the broadest sense of the word exist. Conflicts on a physical and mental level are the source of inspiration for his images. From 1996 - 2000 Matt studied at the Fotoacademie Amsterdam. Later from 2000 to 2004 he studied Fine Art at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy. Soon after his studies Matt started teaching and coaching young artists, at the Fotoacademie, in their postgraduate quest as he developed his artistic practice: ''I'm looking for the bridge between the photography of the last century and the photography of the future. As an artist I not only create, but also try to inspire others''. Artist Matt Chaim de Groot grew up in Israel. At the age of eighteen he served his military service. Via road 98 he travelled to the front line, the border between Syria and the Golan Heights. Since 1973 this border has had a ceasefire on paper, but reality seems to be different. For Matt this place has several meanings. It is a place where he is at home and a place full of conflict.