Magazine

23 january 2024, Flor Linckens

Last chance: the essence of a moment in the work of Evi Vingerling

Me as a Mountain, tegenboschvanvreden

Until 3 February 2024, tegenboschvanvreden in Amsterdam is hosting a solo exhibition of Evi Vingerling. The Dutch artist is presenting her latest works, which remain deeply rooted in the abstraction of perception, but appear to be more figurative and seem to possess a more personal and physical character. This is manifested in a deeper exploration of her 'inner form'.

The oeuvre of Evi Vingerling stands out because of her instantly recognisable visual language. Many of her works begin as memories or fleeting snapshots, moments that will end forming the foundation for a painting. These can be everyday details from her daily life, elements from nature, or the interplay of light and shadow. The artist then attempts to capture the pure essence of that moment through a process of abstraction. Rather than a depiction, she presents an emotional representation of the sensory experience at the moment of capture.

The painting process is often preceded by a sketch or drawing. Recognisable elements and context are stripped away to reach the core of the emotion or sensation. This aspect of exploration and elusiveness is partially retained in the final painting, which is somewhat opaque and unclear, like a feeling associated with a memory. In her recent works, Vingerling draws inspiration not solely from external sources but increasingly from within herself, or from a blend of internal and external worlds.

Me as a Mountain, tegenboschvanvreden

Vingerling's paintings, often executed in gouache, oil, or acrylic, are characterised by light, rhythmic, and fluid brushstrokes, with a focus on subtle shapes, textures, and colours. The works are frequently rendered in two colours, and despite their abstract nature, there always remains an element that refers to reality. Vingerling invites viewers to form a personal connection with her work, and her paintings do not reveal themselves immediately. At the same time, in her more recent works, the artist uses titles to give a certain direction to the work, sometimes inspired by the work of the American poet and writer Walt Whitman. Vingerling is also influenced by philosophy, Taoism, and the seemingly intuitive craftsmanship of classical Chinese and Japanese artists, as well as Matisse and Warhol.

Me as a Mountain, tegenboschvanvreden

The artist was born in 1979 in Gouda, and moved to Georgia in the USA shortly thereafter. She returned to the Netherlands for her education at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague, followed by a residency at the Rijksakademie van beeldende kunsten in Amsterdam. In 2012, she won the prestigious Royal Award for Modern Painting. Her work is represented in major Dutch museum collections, including the Stedelijk Museum, Museum Voorlinden, the Centraal Museum, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, the Van Abbemuseum and the Bonnefantenmuseum.

Evi Vingerling's exhibition 'Me as a Mountain' will be on display at tegenboschvanvreden in Amsterdam until 3 February 2024.

In this article

Flor Linckens

Free Magazine Subscription

Articles, interviews, shows & events. Delivered to your mailbox weekly.

23 january 2024, Flor Linckens

Last chance: the essence of a moment in the work of Evi Vingerling

Current shows