Sietske van der Veen, our favourite exponent of ‘New Dutch Enchantism’, took a journey with us during a week long ‘Artist in Residence at The HoBB’, and explored:

Image Capture;
Image Awareness;
Image Creation and
Portfolio Presentation.

Van der Veen’s style is to weave established graphic icons into enchanted landscapes creating the ‘natural form graphic’ somewhat reminiscent of the ‘Arts and Craft’ approach pursued by the ‘William Morris Company’ in 19th Century England.

Whilst Van der Veen’s work includes a delightful mix of endearing pattern, she often overlays it with an inner world of fun and mischief, creating a far ‘lighter-surreal’ than the deep meaningful surreal the World associates with artists like Dali and Bosch.

Influenced by the clear star-lit skies of the HoBB’s ideal country setting for artists, Van der Veen revisited her early interest in stars and picked-vegetation for the table, to produce some fine ‘astro-gastronomic’ pieces described as ‘Abstract Permutations unearthed from Natures’ ordered chaos’.

I have no personal idea whether they represent ‘unhinged irrationalism’ or some ‘New Dutch Order’, but I can assure you that the works were certainly edible (see pictures).

Two early works of Van der Veen’s are now in the HoBB Permanent Collections for we have now purchased a print , “Pattern’s Domain” to go with our miniature landscape, ‘Small World III’, depicting a bio-niche where toadstools have mushroomed out after those famous warm moist weather moments well known in this part of the UK.

Van der Veen has a constant interest in motif, especially dice, and her enthusiasm for exploring order within natural settings, pulls viewers into her enchanted dreamscapes, especially those who can walk with ease into the paintings of Miro, Kandinsky, Klee and Ernst.

‘Artist’s in Residence’ at The HoBB, UK
New Artists interested in a HoBB Residency should apply in writing for further information and an Application Form.

The Art of Waves ~~~~~~~~~ by <+))))))))>< ~~~ Grant