Jan Hoek & Duran Lantink

Sistaaz of the Castle is a long-term collaborative project between Jan Hoek, fashion designer Duran Lantink, and the organization SistaazHood, a group of transgender sex workers in Cape Town.

Jan Hoek is a Dutch artist and photographer whose work focuses on people who are often overlooked. He frequently collaborates with his subjects, not only portraying them but also actively involving them in the creative process. In his work, ‘outsiders’ are central and are presented as strong, creative, and meaningful individuals.

Duran Lantink is known for his experimental and sustainable approach, reusing existing clothing and materials to create new and expressive designs. His work explores identity, the body, and representation, operating at the intersection of fashion and visual art.

Within Sistaaz of the Castle, documentary imagery is combined with staged portraits and fashion, allowing the Sistaaz to shape their own stories, dreams, and identities.

What draws me to this project is the way it works with people who often fall outside of societal norms and how they are presented as visible and powerful. I am also interested in the combination of documentary and fiction, where reality and construction intertwine.