How did you get into making art?
As long as I can remember I was into drawing, painting and making things. From 1997 until 2001 I studied fashion design at ArtEZ in Arnhem (NL). That’s where I layed the foundation for my art practice. While studying I was more interested in making art than making garments. My creations looked like sculptures on the body and were leaning more towards fine art than garments. I never had the intention to making clothes and working within the frame of fashion. I always have been more interested in fashion or textiles as fine art. That’s why some years later I moved away from the body and focused on autonomous creations. A turning point in my work happened after doing my MA at Goldsmiths back in 2016. During my master studies I got to know my practice inside out, which helped me connect the medium ‘textiles’ with the conceptual side of the work. This journey with lots of bumpy rides, path changes and exciting sideways took my work to the point it is now.
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on my first solo show with K contemporary in Denver USA. Where I will be presenting my take on the five paintings of ‘The Progress of Love’ by Fragonard.
What inspired you to get started on this body of work?
The work reimagines the scenes from the Rococo paintings of Fragonard’s Progress of Love series – known as one of the most powerful evocations of love in the history of art.
My interpretation of the story is to not fall for the clichés and tropes of heterosexual romance but to be free and stay true to one self. No more fairy tales about men saving women, but women being the heroine in their own life story.
I wanted the work to reflect this idea by being powerful in size, vibrancy and seductiveness. Claiming space for the feminine, textiles and individuality.
Do you work on distinct projects or do you take a broader approach to your practice?
I mostly work on distinct projects, but during the creation of for instance a solo show new ideas come up which I’ll use for next projects.
What’s a typical day like in your studio?
I normally start working around 9:00 and finish at 21:00 with a break from 18:00-19:00.
In the morning I answer e-mails and do some admin. From 10:00 I start working on my pieces. That can be hand sewing fabrics, quilting, painting or collaging fabric onto the canvas.
Who are your favorite artists?
Mike Kelley
Joana vasconcelos
Miriam Schapiro
Glenn Brown
Wangechi Mutu
Louise Bourgeois
Beatriz Milhazes
David Altmejd
Where do you go to discover new artists?
at galleries, museums and instagram.
