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A photograph, a news clipping, a mathematical problem and a found object: these are just a handful of the highly disparate elements that Zwaantje (1998) brings together in her work. She describes this process as a form of ‘knotting’, in which material and immaterial elements are interwoven without hierarchy. By tying these elements together, she seeks to uncover and decipher connections between things. This results in sculptures, installations, drawings and paintings.
Each new body of work begins with characters, so-called ‘players’, whose specific traits guide the artist’s perspective. Emerging from thoughts, experiences or video games, they range from abstract notions such as ‘Sharer’ to animals and figures like ‘The Pilgrim’ and ‘Maria’. These players do not take on fixed forms, but instead enter into relationships with the materials and images Zwaantje selects.
The collage-like paintings presented at Prospects are based on photographs of museum objects like fossils, Cycladic sculptures and early Christian artefacts. At the museum, Zwaantje regards these objects as frozen in time; by approaching them through the perspective of ‘Bunnies’ – one of the players – she brings the images back to life. The result is the emergence of unexpected new images, governed by a logic and narrative of their own. Zwaantje explains: ‘My practice is reminiscent of contemporary myth-making. Myths are fluid, constantly evolving stories, shaped by being retold and reinterpreted time and again. I hope to give my players a similar role.’
Written by Esther Darley