Can I Stay Here Forever portrays a number of individuals who make the choice to at least partially withdraw from society, most of them living alone. In the past, some had busy lives from which, at some point, they distanced themselves. They prefer this reclusive existence - in quiet isolation and freed from social expectations - to the speeding train that contemporary Western society had become. Living outside of society is virtually impossible and the people I met are not anti-social, contrary to what is sometimes assumed, but they all strive for sovereignty over their own existence and a life lived according to their own rhythm. For them, prosperity and well-being correspond to autonomy. This desire for independence often implies that they have to give up basic facilities and social care systems, and so they fall back on an impressive resourcefulness and handling of the advantages and limitations of their environment.

Every time I had to leave the safe haven of home to photograph I felt a strong resistance, but soon, after each goodbye, I felt more alive and stronger than before. Can I Stay Here Forever is about those moments when I felt completely free in a previously unknown place. Firstly, the series refers to a moment that I wished could last and expand in time. Secondly, it is about a place, the view of a landscape or an interior that touched me strongly and therefore became all-encompassing, and a resting point for me. Finally, it is about the people and animals, those who inhabit these places and who welcomed me into their lives and shared their stories - the importance these encounters cannot be underestimated.