ROMAIN VEILLON

Romain Veillon: Capturing the Beauty of Abandoned Places

Romain Veillon, a self-taught artist passionate about photography and travel, began photographing at the age of 15 to immortalize his discoveries. Over time, he focused more on the artistic aspects of photography, choosing the aesthetics of abandoned places as his favorite subject. Fascinated by abandonment, he meticulously selects each destination to capture the surreal sensations evoked by forgotten locations. Veillon views these desolate areas as modern “Memento Mori,” where the emptiness is rich with history, and light takes the place of absent humans.

By the age of 35, Romain Veillon had completed over 15 series. Each series demonstrates a unique approach to the chosen location. The quality of his work lies in his technical perfection in photography and his choice of rarely represented places. Veillon begins by selecting his next journey’s destination and then carefully plans each shot to convey the magnetic ambiance of these time capsules. Sensitive to the natural order, he strives to preserve the original composition of the captured place.

Veillon photographs abandoned spaces worldwide. Sometimes he works with famous monuments like BUZLUDZHA, the neglected Communist Party building in Bulgaria, but he also captures hidden, lesser-known locations. As a true lover of the enigmatic and fragile atmosphere of these places, Veillon keeps the exact locations of his artistic excursions a secret to protect them from vandalism.

Each series invites viewers to discover a personal story of a place, reflecting a common history of society. For instance, the famous prison on St. Joseph Island (French Guiana), featured in the series “PAPILLON,” is rich with stories. Vegetation invades the tiny cells of former prisoners, enhancing the stifling atmosphere of the first half of the nineteenth century. This series not only reveals the tragic, brief lives of those incarcerated but also highlights one of humanity’s most shameful historical chapters.

Through his lens, Romain Veillon explores the poetry of abandoned places across the globe. His photographs offer moments of contemplation and escape.

Discover the hauntingly beautiful work of Romain Veillon on IGWT.