Marvel Harris (born 1995) is a photographer from the Netherlands whose deeply personal work delves into critical themes of identity, mental health, and self-expression. His life experiences, including his identity as an autistic and transgender person, profoundly shape his artistic vision. Through self-portraiture, Harris navigates mental health challenges and connects with others through a sense of shared vulnerability and openness.
Harris discovered photography during a period of personal transition, marked by struggles with an eating disorder, depression, and gender dysphoria. Unable to articulate his emotions verbally, he found solace behind the lens, using self-portraiture to confront his inner world with raw honesty. This creative practice became an essential tool for self-understanding, establishing the foundation of his ongoing project Inner Journey, which intertwines visual storytelling with the complexities of everyday life. Harris invites viewers to engage with his vulnerability and strength through this autobiographical series, offering a glimpse into the artist’s mind.
Harris graduated from the Nederlandse Fotovakschool in Apeldoorn in 2018, where he received the Keep an Eye Fotovakschool Grant for best photographic work and most original project plan. Since then, his work has been internationally recognized through several accolades and nominations, including the Zilveren Camera prize in the documentary category (2018), being named an Emerging Talent by LensCulture (2019), and being selected as a Foam Talent (2022).
His work has been widely exhibited in various group and solo exhibitions and acquired by prestigious permanent collections, including the Art Collection Deutsche Börse in Frankfurt, Germany, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, United Kingdom. His book MARVEL (self-published, 2020) was awarded the MACK First Book Award and republished to critical acclaim in 2021. In 2023, Harris was the recipient of the RPS Award for Achievement in the Art of Photography (under 35yrs) in acknowledgment of his important contribution as a vital new voice in contemporary photography.
“When I turn to my camera to make self-portraits, I often do so in moments when I struggle to deal with feelings such as anxiety, loneliness, or desperation about the future. In such moments, I can look at myself from a distance and stop my negative thoughts from spiraling out of control. Photography is therapeutic for me—it helps me manage my emotions, understand my identity, and connect with the world around me when I need it most.”
