To avoid awkward conversations of retirement plans at his 65th birthday party, German expatriate Peter Bolster will exhibit more than 50 original photographs taken over the past seven years to influence discussion topics among his guests.

Photo Supplied

An image from Reflections, an exhibition of photographs by German expatriate Peter Bolster.

“I wanted to give people at my party something different to talk about other than retirement and business. This is something different and its just for fun and entertainment.”

Bolster’s exhibition titled Reflections, which officially opens tonight at his birthday party at Meta House Gallery and the Art Café, captures real life stills that have been warped due reflections or mirroring effects on glass.

“My eyes apparently looked straight through windows fixed on items behind the glass, whereas my camera did this only partly and included other visions too,” Bolster said, explaining how the concept came into being.

“First I was irritated, but later I learned to accept her more comprehensive sight. I began to be fascinated by her way of adaptation. Consequently I started to follow my camera rather than to try to force her.

“We pass things everyday and are hardly aware of the artistic effects reflections make around us. These photos capture a unique moment that will never repeat itself.”

All of Bolster’s photographs, which were shot across the globe in places like the UK, US, Singapore and New Zealand, are originals and have not been edited or manipulated in any way.

“I never seen an exhibition like this before, that’s not to say it hasn’t been done before though.”

Bolster worked as a cabinetmaker for twelve years before changing his profession 28 years ago to international development cooperation.

He now works at Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (German Agency for International Cooperation) as a renewable energies team leader in Phnom Penh. Many of his photographs were taken when travelling for business.

Reflections will be on display at Meta House Gallery in Phnom Penh until February 18 and at the Art Café upstairs until March 14.