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Alice West (1996) makes figurative oil paintings, including portraits. She combines extensive technical knowledge of Neoclassical and Renaissance painting with a personal, narrative approach. West often draws on her own experiences and emotions as a starting point, aiming to establish a direct connection with the viewer. Although her aesthetic appears playful and cheerful, themes such as fear, melancholy, disappointment and existential uncertainty are central to her oeuvre. Through her work, she seeks to address broader questions about life and the human experience.
West’s painting style is deliberately naive – strongly inspired by children’s books and illustrations – and contrasts sharply with the adult, at times uncomfortable subjects she explores. It is precisely through this tension that she aims to make her work accessible to a wide audience: ‘I hope that people recognize something in the paintings and are able to reflect on their feelings, especially in turbulent times such as these.’
Spirited Buffet (2023–2025) is a series of three paintings, presented in wooden frames carved by the artist herself. Each painting approaches fear from a different perspective: from overwhelming abundance and suffocating consumption to exhausting work devoid of prospects. The figures are set against colourful, floral patterns, creating a sense of estrangement in relation to their emotional states. For West, the handmade frames underscore the time, care and reflection invested in her work, reinforcing the artistic commitment that underpins this series.
Written by Kelly-ann van Steveninck