About me

experience
Beside my genuine interests in spirituality and ecology from early age on, I learned lots first hand by living the life I have chosen for so far. I grew up in Heerlen (NL) in 1968, studied at the 'Akademie voor Beeldende Kunsten' Maastricht (NL) and moved to Amsterdam where I got involved in the performance arts. At a training opportunity with performance artist Marina Abramoviç I captured my main motive behind my work. The word ‘experience’ turned out to be my leading force.
challenge
Previously, at my graduation I won the 'Akademie prijs 1992'. During this event I wanted to offer my fellow students a blown-up globe of 1,5m diameter with the message 'there is more into the world then only art'. As I didn't dare to execute my plan and felt terribly guilty about it afterwards I promised myself to never shy away again from internal challenges.
New Zealand
Facing challenges plus my motive of wanting to experience became my incentive. I ended up at a big crossroad in my life. Out of this I chose to go to New Zealand (1996) to build a sailboat, to sail it back to Europe. Meanwhile using the boat as an installation and performance ‘object’. Plates of steel, rolls of sailcloth and a tree as a mast turned out to be my home (10m). Living between the forces of nature grew my garden. Motherhood with two daughters followed.
During my time in Maastricht I practised already tai chi. In New Zealand this interest continued and I became a chi kung instructor. My curiosity and love for energywork deepened through the invite to work in a Maori wellness clinic. Work became a learning ground through learning by being. My small business ‘Core Essence - Movement in Stillness, a holistic approach into the arts’ was born.
turning point
Even though I kept my focus on my distant goal of wanting to create and communicate art, the choices I had made still didn't bring me any closer to this goal. I tried to sustain the relationships created along the way of boat, ex-partner, motherhood. Yet external forces were not moving and aimlessly waiting was not going to help. I determined my position and despite the circumstances I took control. In 2016 I moved back to the Netherlands only bringing the work I had created so far.
future
My curiosity into matter and processes was already present during my study time. Communication with materials and spaces around me happened automatically. Having lived between the elements and self sustainable for many years has widened my horizon. Now I am more aware of the qualities I gained. I can direct and focus further my aim to bring out substantial work which can make a change in the world. Through all the above and my Dutch-German-Slovenian roots my work has gained strength and momentum. In 2018 I was choosen for a short term research/residency at Jan van Eyck Academie, Maastricht, the Netherlands. It felt like a second chance.

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