Artistic Vision and Approach
As a visual artist, I focus on telling lost or forgotten women’s stories, with the aim of restoring these narratives to our collective memory. My work serves as a counterbalance to history, which has long been dominated by male perspectives. Telling these ‘HERstories’—personal and historical stories of women who were not given a voice—is essential for me to create a more balanced and inclusive picture of the past (the ‘HIStory’). However, my paintings are not exact reconstructions of what once was; instead, they are interpretations intertwined with my own memories, emotions, and experiences. In this way, I seek to create a dialogue between past and present, inviting the viewer to rediscover these forgotten stories.
AMOROUS SECRET | SERIES: MAESTRO (2022)
My work is rooted in research. Each project begins with an in-depth study of the women I portray, drawing from historical sources, letters, photographs, and personal testimonies to form a picture of their lives and context. I then translate these stories into series of paintings where I distort time and space. By introducing anachronistic elements—objects or events that do not belong to the woman’s historical period—I create an alienation effect that encourages the viewer to look beyond the historical context and consider how these stories remain relevant to our contemporary society.
The figures in my paintings are often neutral in facial features, lacking clear individual traits. This choice compels the viewer to fill in the gaps themselves, encouraging open interpretation. I aim not to pass judgment but to create space for different perspectives on the past. Through this objective approach, viewers can reflect on social structures that existed then, but which still resonate today. The goal of my work is not only to remember but to raise awareness and contribute to critical thinking about how we view history and gender.
VARIOUS WORKS BY ARTISTS WORKING ON EWIJCKSHOEVE BETWEEN 1880 – 1920
Techniques and Materials
My painting technique is based on a combination of traditional methods and an intuitive, experimental approach. I often use muted colors, typically in partially desaturated or earthy tones, to evoke a timeless atmosphere that complements the historical themes I explore. The mood of my work is partly inspired by 19th-century artists connected to the historic estate of Ewijckshoeve, where I grew up. The melancholic and sober works of artists like Willem Witsen, Piet Meiners and W.B. Tholen and other artist (painters, writers, musicians) who have worked there between 1880 – 1920, have had a lasting influence on my own work, though this may not be immediately apparent.
Artistic Development
My artistic development did not follow a traditional path. I initially began my career in communications, where I discovered my interest in storytelling. Later, I transitioned into photography, where capturing human stories became central to my work. Women’s stories quickly emerged as a key theme in my photography, earning me the Dutch National Portrait Prize in 2017. However, during the COVID lockdown, I discovered the power of painting and decided to fully commit to this new medium. Painting provides me with a deeper and more physical connection to my subjects, allowing me the freedom to tell stories in a more abstract and layered way.
Over the years, I have participated in several (international) exhibitions, and my work has been included in multiple museum and corporate collections. My ambition is to continue deepening my research into women’s stories and to make my work accessible on a broader scale.