Bio | Statement

‘Black Source’ is about the source from which life arises and disappears again. As an Asian ( however born in The Hague The Netherlands from Chinese parents who grew up in Indonesia), black is a rich colour of mystery, subtle distinction, profoundness. This title can be the name of all of my charcoal drawings for it essentially covers the load. Besides that, black source also refers (for me) to the material of charcoal, ashes from the woods as well as the source where creation derives from: the subconsciousness.

Drawings 32 x 24 cm. These drawings are most of the time made on the road during holidays or travel. The size makes it easy to travel, armed only with charcoal and eraser. There are different themes like ‘Blooming’ (newly born and developing parts of nature)  ‘interior’ (oppressive spaces) and again ‘Black Source’.
Drawings 40 x 30 cm ‘Voyage’ arises from a story I read about the Toraje in South of Sulawesi, Indonesia where a passed away child is buried in the hollow of a tree, thus continuing its voyage.
Drawings 42 x 29,7 cm ‘Soul of a Tree’ derives from the ‘Voyage’ series. The title speaks for itself. ‘Soul of a Tree’ are my most recent ink drawings.

Drawings 70 x 50 cm. These are all drawings on Nepali lokta paper. ‘From the other side’ is meant literally and figuratively: The paper absorbs the ink and water thus creating also images at the back side. These were more surprising to me so I continued on the other side. ‘Consolation’ derived from a project that I attended where artist meets churches. The theme was ‘consolation’ and I found the diamond like shape inspiring for this theme.
Drawings 75 x 55 cm. These are all drawings on Bhutanese paper with themes like ‘Black Source’ ‘View’ (might be a view from above as well as a statue like form) and ‘Ancient’ (title after the image was there). This paper I also found challenging, literally because I probably am a little allergic to the mixture of water paper and ink. Besides that because of its unpredictability.

Drawings 64 x 96 cm. ‘Focus’ and ‘Influences’ (Both about influences from extended families like ours and the importance to keep yourself focused on what you want) are my most recent charcoal drawings, ‘Black Source’ landscape was a diptych but I found this part more exciting than the two of them together, the 2013 piece derived from a visit to a temple in Kollapur, India. The architecture was mesmerizing in it’s irregularity thus creating an alienating and mysterious space.

Panorama’s 4 x 96 x 64 cm. ‘Metamorphosis’ series derives from a Moleskine leporello where I could continue drawing as a sequel to the previous drawing thus creating an extra wideness. Especially with the rough and barren landscapes and the expanding skies in ‘Black Source’ it has its effect.

Big Drawings
Consolation was made for the project where artists meets churches. This one hang together with 7 part of  ‘Black Source’ while ‘Resilience’ is about the possibility to break new grounds on condition that you remain resilient.