Lisette van Maurik
The world around me is constantly flowing in unhindered. Seeing, hearing, smelling and feeling - an abundance of stimuli that demand my attention and force me to filter. I continuously select and look for balance; a dance between letting experiences flow in and protecting my own boundaries.
In my work, this balancing exercise translates into my approach. Simplifying is my strength; eliminating unnecessary details reveals the essence - only the right energy and emotion remains.
Both in my work and in my daily life, I am constantly looking for the right balance. Finding that perfect combination between exuberant energy and subtle emotion is crucial. I want to show what is right and leave out what is unnecessary, to maintain harmony between what comes in and what radiates out.
This daily search for balance is not only a characteristic of my work but also a reflection of my own development.
Just like my personality, my art is explosive and pure, without excess. She embraces a color palette of abundance, subtly different from the usual, imbued with an inexhaustible energy. She is powerful but gentle, striking without dominance, vulnerable and full of power. That's who I am; that's my job.
I have a great love for yarns and have been working with them for over 25 years. The organic character of this material really appeals to me; it always keeps moving so I can never fully control it. On the one hand, this forces me to embrace the art of letting go. On the other hand, the tactile aspect of yarn and the diversity of textures allows me to add depth and dimension to my work.
In February 2023, my design of 'the Girl with a Pearl Earring' was exhibited in the prestigious Mauritshuis in The Hague. With my interpretation of a missing work by Johannes Vermeer I reached the final of the TV program 'De Nieuwe Vermeer'.
My work has now been exhibited at various locations, including a three-day exhibition in Museum de Kantfabriek in Horst and a metro exhibition in Barcelona. In August 2023 I was allowed to exhibit my work during an exhibition in art gallery K26 in Oss.
About my work.
My work is a constant search for balance. Finding the right balance in image, color and texture. What is the essence and how can I display it?
I am guided by energy. Fine, pure and above all authentic energy. I have a predilection for portraits. Faces that tell a story with real emotion. And I try to capture that feeling and that energy and translate it into textiles. By simplifying. To filter so that only the essence remains. I translate energy and emotion into planes, lines, color and texture.
In my abstract work I look for the total energy that the whole radiates. I work more with layered lines, freer shapes, depth and tactile textures. Wherever I try to capture the energy in a portrait in the image, in my abstract work I focus more on tactile textures and I look for a balance between harmony and contrast.
Color is my language. I let energy and emotion flow through the use of color.
My work is always an explosion of color that immediately attracts attention. Without ever losing sight of the balance. I look for the right proportions to connect with you and grab your attention without overwhelming your senses,
My explosive style draws attention from a distance. Only when you get closer you discover the true nature of the material, see different dimensions and textures and feel the urge to touch it.
The process of tufting consists of several different steps. While designing I bring my ideas to life and I look for the right image, shape, composition and color scheme. Thereafter the physical aspect of the tufting itself where I carefully choose each colour, material, pile height and texture.
The final part of the process is finishing and detailing the work. With razors, scissors and tweezers I detail all the lines and create that tactile texture that brings my art to life.
The last threads....
I use high quality yarn; varying from 100% wool, wool blend, merino wool, cotton and acrylic. The frame is an integral part of my work and I work with an artisan framer to execute this last aspect to perfection. This professional finish not only contributes to the visual coherence of my work, but also ensures its durability and quality.
Because of the weight of my canvases, I always use a deeper frame for my larger works. This construction provides space at the rear for the attachment of an iron stretcher window. Although this mechanism is invisible, it provides a firm support and ensures that the artwork remains safe and solid.
