artist statement

My paintings and drawings are inspired by the relationships between people. The characters are not portraits of real people, they are generalized portraits; they really could be anybody. Through the movements of my hands, the characters are shaped and take on a life of their own. Perspective shifts play with the viewer’s attention. Landscapes and sceneries are deliberately changed and representations of elements are distorted, challenging the idea that the images correspond directly to a particular place in realness, and bringing them closer to a magical reality. There is space for contemplation and reflection in the recognizable situations and elements of the images. The imagery and shifts take the viewer to a world where conventional rules are repealed and imagination interferes with reality.

My ceramic is inspired by my drawings, and my drawings gain a completely new perspective through the clay … I find that both mediums are strongly related and continually communicate with each other. My work is sculptural and not functional. Behind all my work there is a deep interest in visual narratives, and working both with clay and drawings are my way of telling stories. My thoughts communicate with the material, which takes shape when it is built by hand. The process requires concentration, patience, and confidence. It is a very mental attitude. My goal is to “boost” my work, with new forms and materials, therefore, I constantly explore the medium, without fear, I just do it. Exploring, experimenting, and trying new ideas is what motivates me.

Caroline Krabbe