"Start by telling us about you."

I'm a visual artist living in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.. I work mostly with photographs, papers and threads. 

My work combines found materials like books, magazines, photographs, postcards and other printed material with thread and painted elements. 

"Your collage includes elements of stitching and fabrics. What is your relationship with craft and image?"

My mother’s weaving has a huge influence on me. I have been growing up surrounded by wool and threads. I loved the bold colors and textures.

I do not see threads as a form of craft; I see it as an element and a material of expression.

Working with threads allows me to create a new physical, tactile layer on top of existing photos. A layer that was not there before. Adding a new dimension to the surface, a new point of view, and with that, adding a new meaning.

When I started to work with threads on paper, it was a very exciting discovery. Working on paper gives a completely different tension to the thread compared to working on textile. This was exactly what I was looking for. The straight lines are creating movement and dynamic of their own, giving the work another dimension.

It is not a traditional way of working with threads. The surface is hard and I had to experiment a lot to find the right method, the right threads and the right techniques until I achieved the results I wanted. I’m still learning and testing.

"You reference the female form and nature heavily in your work. Can you elaborate more on why these themes are so prominent in your work?"

As a start, I’m a woman ☺

The subject that I find interesting are the ones that are close to my heart. I know how it feels to be a woman and I love all elements of nature.

I am attracted to nature, to the green and mainly to the open space. 

"Where do you source your images and what references are you drawn to?"

The photographs I’m working with are connected to the main subject, common to all my works; memories.

The photos are mainly from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. I love photos from this period.

I put lots of thought in understanding the relation between the objects in the photo. Finding the story inside the photo itself and then tell it with threads and paint. It’s a story on top of a story.

"Do you have any rituals when creating?"

Not really, It’s my daily work for years… I do like to listen to Podcasts. And it does help when my table is clean and my cat spares me some space to work… :-D

"You have worked with some huge clients, how do you balance being creative with being commercial?"

I LOVE commissioned works! Commissioned works are a great challenge. I enjoy the opportunity of working with guidelines, and restrictions and deadlines!  It’s very different from working on my own ideas and artworks.

I enjoy the dialogue with the commissioners during the making of the work. I find it very interesting and pleasing. 

"Thank you, Hagar."