My inspiration is gathered from dreams, synchronicities and experiences
that are meaningful to me. Since 1998 I have been dealing with Carl
Gustav Jung’s theory on the Archetypes in my work and the use of
imagery I use is greatly influenced by that interest. I am working in
glass, painting and collage. The starting points of a piece of artwork
are generally sketches or samples, often it is a combination of more
then just one. I am also using ancient images, like an aspect of
an Icon painting or a Assyrian sculpture. Using several images plays a
part in the sense that I am interested in the overlapping of different
levels (time, spiritual, real, unconscious etc.). Working that way
manifests those levels in the piece of artwork. It is symbolized by the
use of lines, which divide or connect different elements of the work,
therefore composition plays a vital part in my work. Like I try to
balance myself, I try to balance the work. That does not only count for
the different levels, but for all elements I am dealing with. It is a
matter of trying to arrange the elements of the piece, so they match
the according aspect of psychological developement within myself, or
the way I would like that aspect to develop. As that is often not
accomplished in one go, I tend to work in series. Often one aspect
shows up in a number of pieces, that is when something has not been
resolved or when that aspect has to be viewed from different angles.
Another theme of my work is recycling. Some of the glass I use is
bottle glass and some of the material I use in my collages is
wrapping-paper etc, which I have been given, so I am recycling when I
use these materials. This represents another layer of meaning in my
work. If humanity does not move to a more considered way of dealing
with the planet, it will eventually disappear. On the other hand, I
look at the necessity for humanity to deal with its spiritual resources
and the resources of the soul. Spirituality has always been one of the
strongest supports of the human psyche, however the tendency is to turn
away from it. It is essential to create a balance between the
influences of todays world and what is relevant to our personal
development, our soul. Spirituality operates on a level free from
superficial values.
In all my artistic efforts the viewer plays a part too. Working with
archetypes and symbolism includes the viewer on a great scale. As these
themes have a multiple character, their dynamic is strong and ongoing.
The archetypes in my dreams engage me in a process, and through my
artwork, may also effect the viewer and therefore trigger off
their process of addressing the self. There is another aspect
too, the idea that the presence of a viewer can influence matter, has
been scientifically proven in the field of quantum mechanics. Since the
origins of art there has always been a recipient, either being divine
or human. Therfore taking quantum mechanics into account, it could mean
that the viewer is an essential part belonging to the concept of art
itself. In incorporating the idea that thought can change matter in the
creative process, I treat my materials as a carrier for imformation.
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