Perhaps one of the most inspiring books I've read recently is 'the creative habit' by Twyla Tharp.
From her many years of experience as a choreographer, she has researched the concept of creativity. How can you make creativity a part of your life? How is everything you do connected to it and how can you explore what your creative DNA - your signature - is? What is at all times the basis of your creative work?
The latter particularly interests me. What makes that when I hear music, I immediately 'know' this is Bach, or when I see an image, I immediately recognize photographer Erwin Olaf? And so on. We all know the examples.
It immediately makes me think about my own creative DNA. My creative signature that can be found in every image. What is it and where does it come from?
"The real secret of creativity is to go back and remember." Twyla Tharp writes.
In search of what always is the root of my work, I regularly look back at my previous work, take a step back and then zoom into the work I am making now. How different my work seems to be, and has changed over the years, the basis from which I work has remained the same.
In my work I investigate how I can contribute to a world in transformation. A world that no longer offers anything to hold on to and longs for a spot on the horizon.
I do this by showing beauty, often inspired by poetry, philosophy and literature.
In my images you will find simplicity, layering and wonder. With the questions and emotions they evoke, I want to create a connection with and in the world. After all, connection leads to more awareness and in my opinion that is what a world in transformation needs so much.
The appearance, I can see now, becomes of secondary importance. Whether it's my classic landscape images or my more abstract poetic images, the essence is the same. And that essence is my creative DNA, my signature.
The preparations for the next three exhibitions bring me back to that essence.
How do I want to show that now? How do I want to be amazed now? It's an exciting quest.
The duo exhibition in the synagogue in Buren shows colourful work. Artist Trude Bergsma and I explore the similarities and differences in our work: Soul Travelling.
For the exhibition in the Tsjerke in Terherne I am going Beyond the Landscape: a retrospective of my work.
Well and then New York.... for this exhibition I am making new work and the research, experimentation and going back and looking ahead are still in full swing. From February 25 to March 4 I will be working on this new work as Artist in Residence on Ameland!
I sincerely hope to meet you in the beautiful synagogue of Buren (March 10-12), the atmospheric Tsjerke in Terherne (April 9 and 10) or who knows in Manhattan New York (May 2-8)!
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