This surreal photograph by Teun Hocks depicts a lone, pyjama-clad figure walking through a painted scene during a fierce storm. The feeling of movement and the gusting storm is created through the flailing scarf and hat, blown off the man’s head. The candle flame, however, seems unaffected by the turmoil, burning strong and steady, unwavering. The dramatic sky and bleak background has been achieved by painting onto the print image.

A symmetrical quality is present, with the two houses and identical paths leading towards them. This reflection is strengthened by their positioning on the thirds lines of the image. The perspective created by the road also draws the viewer into the photograph, towards the houses in the background. The forward-leaning posture is counterbalanced by his hat and coat flying backwards, creating a well balanced composition. The photo is also well framed by the bleak branches towards the image’s sides.

The lighting in this image also bears a surreal quality. Despite the darkness of the storm, the subject is well lit by much more than just his candlelight. This has been achieved by painting on to the photographic print. Originally, the image (a silver gelatin print) would have been monotone, with a metallic quality. However, Hocks has introduced much colour into the scene through paint. This leaves the audience to wonder how much of the original photograph remains, and how much is just a painting. In any case, the two media have been brilliantly incorporated with an impressive effect, creating a bleak and stormy atmosphere and mood.

The subject’s clothing and use of a candle reinforces the feeling of night and dream, although we wonder why he has decided to use a candle to light his way in a storm. Simply dressing in a coat and scarf also seems like a strange decision for such a journey. This leads the audience to the conclusion that this is not just a surreal artwork, but a dream-scape also.

The style of the image references strongly the realistically painted dream images of the 1930s. The image could therefore represent an impossible journey encountered in a dream. Travelling a ridiculously long route through harsh conditions and turmoil; a theme is commonly associated with uneasy dreams. The situation could also be symbolic of the man being caught between two places in his life, or in a state of transition between them. The candle therefore could represent a steadfast truth or hope to the subject in this strange situation.

An impersonal feeling is created because we can not see the man’s face. This makes it harder for us to relate to his situation, but also suggests that he could represent any one of us. Perhaps Hocks is therefore showing a scene which many of his audience can relate to.

Critics of Hocks’ work have been generally positive, with one identifying him as “the star of his own show”. Dutch critic Paul Hefting has also observed that Hocks’ works are “updates of sixteenth-century emblem books,¹ which focussed primarily on the misery of life.”² Jim Beecher referred to Hocks as a “pioneer of… ‘constructed imagery’… the hapless everyman combating the absurdity of daily life.”³ His photograph “To and Fro” certainly fits these descriptions.

In my opinion, “To and Fro” by Teun Hocks is a wonderful piece of photography which also demonstrates successful combination of media and style. Only by using this process of painting over prints could such an effective image be created. Hocks has successfully created an image which audiences can relate to for as long as they are able to dream.

_{1: An emblem book is a style of illustrated text developed in Europe, consisting of around a hundred picture/text combinations. Usually a woodcut or engraving was combined with a piece of text, with the intention of causing the reader to reflect upon a certain moral lesson. (Reference: Wikipedia)
2: “T. Hocks – A Brief Article” by D. Kuspit, 2001. [Link]
3: Jim Beech, 2006. [Link]}

_{Teacher’s comments: An excellent essay, however I believe you could have investigated meaning more, and established more personal judgement.}