As an artist, I focus on the abstract and the unseen. The mystery of humanity and existence has fascinated me since childhood. I aim to capture the intangible aspects of the human spirit and the tensions between consciousness and the unconscious in visual form. Painting and drawing offer me a way to respond to these elusive elements, allowing me to depict manifestations of the complex mind and give shape to its subtle nuances. My work often explores the relationship with the self, where symbolism plays a crucial role, serving as a bridge between the visible and the hidden.
My painting process balances control and intuition. Each work emerges from a feeling, as if it presents itself to me, and I merely guide it. I work in layers, applying paint, removing it, and adding it again, creating a world that could not exist without this layering. Embracing uncertainty and letting intuition guide the process is central to my practice.
The struggle with material is an essential aspect of my work. Mistakes and revisions are just as vital as intentional choices. The process of adding and removing, of exerting control and letting go, generates a dynamic space in which the work comes to life.
My inspiration is rooted in philosophical, religious, and folkloristic sources, as well as spontaneous encounters with imagery in daily life. I combine this investigative approach with an intuitive one, developing a visual language that emerges from the interplay of analysis and instinct. This tension leads to insights and images I could not have anticipated.
I seek to create images that resonate with the deeper layers of our psyche, inviting introspection and discovery. Through painting and drawing, I aim to uncover these layers, developing a visual language that helps us reflect on who we are beyond the visible and tangible. My work explores what stands in contrast to the rational and individualistic tendencies of contemporary society. By acknowledging that we are not entirely rational beings but are driven by unconscious desires, fears, and emotions, can we rethink our image of human nature?
EXHIBITIONS
Exposure, Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Utrecht (26 juni - 1 juli 2024)
Studio K - Amsterdam (1 maart - 1 mei 2024, solo show)
Fuse, Troef - Leiden (6 oktober - 4 november 2023, group show)
Death By Dagger exhibition, ACU - Utrecht (3 - 30 september 2023, solo show)
“Soul, mind, life soul”, De Nijverheid - Utrecht (6 - 27 februari 2023, group show)
Festival Ongeluk! Amsterdam (13 januari 2023, group show)
De Utrechtse Boekenbar - Utrecht (5 november 2021, group show)
Festival Dwaalspoor - Vlissingen (6 & 7 november 2021, group show)
INTERNSHIPS
Jonat Deelstra (February & March 2023)
Munir de Vries (May - July 2023)
STUDIES
BA Illustration – Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Utrecht (2020-2024)
CONTACT
+31 6 81509606
lunavanderstraaten@gmail.com
Instagram: @luna.vanderstraaten
