My grandmother says that when she left the Netherlands nearly 50 years ago, lace curtains hung in the window of every house. To this day, Oma still hangs them. Now in Amsterdam it is a dying tradition.

People hang these curtains to shield themselves from public view. Lace curtains only hang in certain houses, perhaps where an older person is living. Who is behind the curtain?

Shooting these curtains is one of the most uncomfortable situations I have been in as a photographer. The curtains are hung to create a barrier between the private and public worlds and photographing the curtains defies this barrier. My reflection in the window is peering out, whilst appearing to peer in.

What drew me to this subject was also how the beautiful the lace is. The simple rituals of everyday life can become extraordinarily beautiful. The photographs are painterly and romantic. This contrasts with the emotional context of privacy and hiding.