Maria Lena Koen

Maria Lena Koen (b. 1991) is a Swiss-Dutch filmmaker and photographer currently living in Paris, France.

 

Driven by curiosity and a desire to understand how people relate to themselves and the world around them, her work moves between documentary film and photography. She is drawn to both fleeting encounters and long-term relationships, using her camera as a way of approaching others and exploring questions of home, intimacy, belonging and identity.

 

Having grown up between Switzerland, the Netherlands and Italy, speaking multiple languages from an early age, Maria Lena moves naturally in different cultures, communities and social environments. This continues to shape her practice, which is rooted in observation, trust and a sensitivity to the nuances of everyday life.

 

At the heart of her practice are longterm relationships. She often spends years alongside her subjects, allowing stories to unfold gradually through trust and shared experience. While some encounters remain brief, her work is primarily shaped by an interest in staying, observing how people change, grow and navigate the complexities of their lives over time.