About collage

 

​​Collage refers to both the technique and the resulting artwork. It involves assembling different shapes, materials and sources to create something completely new and unexpected. The oldest known collages date back to the Middle Ages, and thanks to the Dada group and artists such as Picasso and Georges Braque, this technique became popular in Europe in the early 20th century. Contrast, repetition and layering are three key principles of collage. Contrast in colour, texture, perspective, focus and style - anything is possible. Another important principle of collage, that is growing on me more and more, is 'Embrace imperfections; they add character'.

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​About me

 

I have been drawing and painting from a young age, and mainly autodidact. Acrylic, oil and watercolour paints were my favourite media and I used to make surrealistic and magical realistic images. Whilst studying criminology and criminal law, I also held selling exhibitions and made commissioned murals. Once I started my professional life, I made my 3 sons and career my priority. Working for the police force in The Netherlands, I investigated serious and organised crime, acted as a profiler for mainly homicide cases and conducted an extensive research on serial killers in The Netherlands.

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After working on the dark side of society for over 20 years, I yearned for ‘lighter’ things, positivity and beauty! I found this through interior design (furnishing business, trade fair stands and living spaces), making social media content for businesses and I started painting again. But in December 2020 Covid hit me. (Long) Covid has since prevented me from working and also painting is not possible at the moment. My life has slowed down tremendously and in search for an outlet I started making digital collages on my iPad. Surrealism, magical realism, popart remain major themes (with a hint of Where's Wally?). 

 

Perhaps because my own world has become so small, I appreciate the surprising versatility of nature and it’s creatures even more. The animals and plants in the collages are real and displayed in their true colours. By combining the above- and underwater world, I aim to celebrate and display the beauty and surprising versatility of our world. Most of all, want to create an image that provides some lightness, makes you wonder and brings a smile to your face! 

 

Collage ‘Ibiza’ has a special place in my heart. When I was at a very low point, physically and (therefor) also mentally, I went to Ibiza on my own to think about who I am, what makes me me, what is important to me.  There, I managed to shift focus to the things I can still do, and started to make peace with my situation and having a different life than I had planned out. During my daily walks, I came across the most beautiful flowers, which are incorporated in the collage.

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For my collages, I use my own pictures and also many (parts of) pictures I found on the internet or was sent to over the years. No violation of any rights was intended; please contact me if you feel I have done you or any image injustice. 

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Hester@hesterbrink.nl