Artist Tessa de Rijk

She sees her studio as an art lab, paints with handmade organic tools and creates three-dimensional paintings where simplicity.

She sees her studio as an art lab, painting with homemade organic materials tools and she creates 3D paintings where simplicity provides space for light and shadow play. Tessa de Rijk 'exhibits' this Thursday in MASTERS Gallery, where three of her harmonious and serene works are highlighted. Text: Larissa Schaule Jullens
Image: Tessa de Rijk

Symbiosis #2665

“These are three works from the family/collection Symbiosis. This collection revolves around an investigation into relief, texture and the tactile properties of man-made surfaces and landscapes created by nature. I allow these to merge and express themselves in different ways. I present the works from light to dark, just like how the day begins and ends. An eternal shadow play. I stretch the Japanese linen unprocessed. Every key that is pressed must be hit the first time because the canvas is unforgiving. If you look from afar, it is mainly about the composition, which consists of minimal additions and no embellishments. As you get closer you discover texture and layering in the brushstroke, which is made up of fine lines and black shades. The shapes have a gradient from light to dark and are connected by a line on the canvas. This work is the blueprint of the 3D paintings #2665 and #2654.”

Symbiosis #2654

“Even though this work is apparently completely black, the pigment changes the color of the work from day to day. Just like the sun transforms from cool to warm. From a blue glow in the morning to orange in the evening. Without sunlight it is intensely black. I see this work as a world in itself, because everything seems to be absorbed by the black pigment. The frame, canvas and 3D elements together form a harmonious whole.”

Symbiosis #2663

“It clearly shows that I like to add textures to my work. By looking at it you can almost feel at your fingertips what it is like to rub a rough wall. This work of art has different characters through the shadow play. When the light shines 'softly' on it, the work has a kind of blur, while the cast shadow creates a much 'harder' and monumental appearance. The 3D shapes are based on different pebbles I found. #2663 is a fusion between nature and architecture.”

Please here take a look at Tessa de Rijk's website.