07 may 2024, Flor Linckens
The versatile world of paper: Art on Paper Amsterdam
From Thursday 9 May to Sunday 12 May, the fourth edition of Art on Paper Amsterdam will take place in the monumental Gashouder in Amsterdam. The focus of the art fair is encapsulated in its title: all of the exhibited works are created on, or from paper.
herman de vries was originally trained as a botanist and researcher and this is reflected in his practice. Plants and soil are his staple materials and his work also explores our complicated and disrupted relationship with nature. Since the 1970s, he has compiled an extensive archive of over 7000 soil samples.
With her 'Infinite Landscape' (2017), Griet Dobbels demonstrates that paper-based works need not be confined to two dimensions. She created a complex structure by layering, cutting and gluing numerous sheets of paper — an incredibly labor-intensive process.
Alexandra Phillips presents work on 'blue back poster', a material often used for window and billboard posters. Due to its blue-gray backing, the material does not show through. Phillips modifies the surface with chalk and perforates it with a pattern that is reminiscent of kitchen roll paper.
The vulnerability of paper is emphasised in the work of Marian Bijlenga, who uses paper yarn. She draws inspiration from everyday details such as natural elements, floor patterns and even Chinese characters. An interesting aspect is that the artist personally installs her fragile works at buyers' homes in the Netherlands, at no extra cost.
Sophie Järvinen Postma describes working with pastel as 'sculpting on a flat surface'. Many of her artworks start as clay models, which she then draws on paper, aiming to reveal the hidden soul behind the original image.
Long-Bin Chen, a contemporary Taiwanese sculptor, shows a striking installation of carved books. His sculptures are visually rich with historical and cultural references — such as Einstein or Buddha — and he frequently uses old books for his pieces.
Esther Hoogendijk creates artworks that are, in a sense, alive. She uses recycled paper combined with seeds, roots, ink, and acrylic, resulting in works that transform over time. These changes in shape, colour and material are influenced by varying environmental conditions or human interaction, such as touch.
Aline Thomassen is known for her often large-scale watercolours that are characterized by a prominent presence of women. Historically, women were often the subject of the male gaze — seen through the eyes of men — but in Thomassen's works, the women often gaze directly back at the viewer. Her works are explicitly shaped from the female gaze.
Marisa Rappard explores the social implications of our increasingly digital existence. She is interested in the human condition in an era in which technology has an overwhelming influence. Rappard brings to life visions of a digital utopia, where the essence of humanity might eternally persist in a digital form.
Ulrike Främbs produces exceptionally realistic drawings that convey a palpable feeling. Frambs: “Every drawing takes hours of preparation. I take everyday objects out of its utilitarian shadow and into the spotlight. I do not want to make the audience think, but I want to make them feel.”
Ulrike Heydenreich is fascinated by the human desire to explore and map the world. In her recent works, she occasionally uses historical topographic maps and photos as base materials. The artist folds and manipulates her materials, creating a certain spatiality that reveals new aspects of the landscape. Her works are often displayed in deep frames, offering a unique viewing experience.
