The recent exhibition Architecture — Structure & Soul at Galerie Fotografie Sechs in Basel showcased the works of 24 talented photographers exploring how architecture and urban spaces shape human experience. Among the participants were two standout alumni of Swiss Photo Club’s SPC Academy training program: Huan Cao, owner of the gallery, and Lukas Wagner, a dynamic force in the Swiss photography scene.
From Huan Cao: A Gallery Rooted in Community
Huan Cao’s journey from SPC Academy graduate to gallery owner is founded on her love of storytelling. “Photography,” Huan says, “is more than just pictures. It’s about capturing the essence of a person, a moment, a feeling, a story waiting to be told.”
Galerie Fotografie Sechs has become a hub for Basel’s photography community, providing a space where local artists can share their stories, exhibit their work, connect, and inspire others. Regular exhibitions like Architecture — Structure & Soul highlight the gallery’s commitment to promoting artistic exploration and community engagement.
Lukas Wagner: Looking for the Soul
Lukas Wagner’s participation in Architecture — Structure & Soul reflects his evolution as a photographer and his growing prominence in Switzerland’s photography scene. Lukas described SPC Academy as “a pivotal step in his search for creative expression,” a decision that helped him refine his craft and find his artistic voice after retiring from a successful medical career.
Lukas exhibited a series of photos on the theme of man-made structures blending harmoniously with their surroundings, merging the soul of the building with the soul of nature. With these and other photographs, Lukas earned the credential of Licentiate of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain.
“A good photograph lets viewers sense that there is more to it than meets the eye, revealing its secrets without giving them all away. In Nightly Secret, the image of a wooden house facade with warm streaks of light falling through the blinds onto the snow connects the interior with the exterior. Geometric patterns of light and darkness contrast with the natural lines of the forest. The result is a dialogue between the visible and the invisible, the familiar reality and the hidden realm beyond it.”
Read more about the exhibition and the other exhibitors in this lovely article by journalist Jessica Schöne (in German).
SPC Academy: From passion to profession
We are so pleased to see the success of these two SPC Academy alumni as they make waves in the Swiss photography scene.
Huan’s work as both a gallery owner and photographer and Lukas’s thought-provoking artistry are a testament to the program’s ability to nurture talent and inspire careers–and they make us deeply proud.
Congratulations to Huan & Lukas!
If you’re ready to embark on your own transformative journey in photography, SPC Academy is here to help. In as little as 4 weeks or as long as a year, you’ll learn and practice the artistic, technical, and business skills you need to turn your enthusiasm into expertise.
Join one of our upcoming information sessions (free and online) to see whether SPC Academy is right for you.
