Annick van Barneveld is a Dutch artist known for her contemporary artworks that blend elements of surrealism and symbolism. Her work often explores themes of nature, human existence, and the subconscious mind. She uses vibrant colors, intricate details, and symbolic imagery to evoke deep emotional responses and invite viewers to interpret the hidden meanings in her pieces. She is recognized for her unique style that challenges traditional boundaries in art.
How lucky we are that we had the chance to meet her, here is our short Q&A with her:
Could you tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Annick van Barneveld, I live and work from the Netherlands. I am both an anthropologist and a visual artist and I combine those professions in my visal work.
How does your personal background or culture influence the themes and materials in your artwork?
My work is always about emotions and human behavior. I followed current events for a while with my work, because I wanted to give a voice to the victims of violance and the global struggle for power. My grandparents survived forced labor and concentration camps. But due to their trauma, they never felt safe or worthy again. My father, who came to the Netherlands at the age of four, has also struggled all his life with a feeling of insecurity and inferiority. This is what war does.
Violance and dehumanization, are being passed on from generation to generation. That's why I find it so important to continue to draw attention to this subject.
I use wool threads and stitching to indicate how human experiences are strung together into a whole life. I use paper and fabric because these materials contrast, and thus represent the duality of being human.
Who are some of your biggest artistic influences, and how have they impacted your work?
Artists I have always found inspiring are Salvador Dalí and Hieronymus Bosch. Both because of their surreal and often disturbing work. Sometimes gruesome scenes, become beautiful through the composition and use of color. Gustav Klimt is an example because of his use of color, the use of repetitive patterns and his depiction of the human capacity for passion and love. I also appreciate Chagall, because of his naive and dreamy work. What these artists have in common, is that they are very good storytellers, who appeal to a large audience.
The work of these artists encourages me not to shy away from what disturbs me. And to portray what is painful or unpleasant in such a way, that it is not unpleasant to look at.
How do you decide which mediums and materials to combine in a piece?
When I start a canvas, the use of paper, paint, fabric and thread is fixed. During the process I may decide to add another medium, because I want to create more structure or depth, or because I want to influence the light by, for example, using glass beads.
Do you plan your artworks extensively beforehand, or do you prefer a more spontaneous approach?
I always determine my subject in advance. This can be a current event, but also a specific emotion under which a subtheme hangs. The process that follows, is intuitive. I wear headphones with music during my work, to block out the world and stay in the atmosphere of my canvas.
What are some of your favorite materials to work with, and why do they appeal to you?
I prefer to work with paper, fabric and thread. They all have a different structure, which means there is a natural alternation of hardness and softness.
Are there any recurring symbols or motifs in your work? What do they represent?
I use a lot of symbolism in my work. Symbolism in itself, forms a universal language that is spoken and understood by everyone.
Angels can often be found in my work, as representations of the good and spiritual. Clocks and hourglasses represent transience and birds symbolize freedom and breaking away from the past. I also use arcs and gates to indicate transitions. And the tree of life often appears in my work, sometimes inverted - to represent destruction.
How do you overcome creative blocks or periods of low inspiration?
I always combine working on a canvas, with writing text related to my work. This way, I stay busy even when I can't get any further with a canvas. I also walk a few kilometers every day, this helps me to create space in my head for new insights and inspirations.
How do you see your art developing over the next few years?
I see my work as a visual artist as a search for the essence of humanity. In addition to being a storyteller, I am also someone who wants to create connections between people.
I hope with my future work, I will succeed in helping people learn to recognize themselves in others.
For me personally, I hope that the fear of showing myself to my core in my work, continues to diminish.
Does the region you live in influence your artistic mind?
I think the fact that I live in the Netherlands, makes me extra aware of the privileged status that people have in this part of the world. It made me look for shared values, a universal language. I want to reflect the diversity I see in the Netherlands, in my work. But also the pain of rejection, the fear of not being allowed to belong anywhere. It's precisely because of the struggle I also see in Dutch society, I want to use my work to look for the similarities in which we can find each other.
What role do you believe art plays in society, and how do you see your work contributing to that role?
I believe that art should be interpretable for everyone. Art can make people uncomfortable or comfort them, it can offer new insights or just that push to follow your heart. I strongly believe in the connecting power of art. Art can stimulate discussion and contribute to meaning. But above all, art can be stabilizing and unifying in societies that are unstable and torn.
You often use portraits of people, what do portraits mean to you?
I use a lot of portraits in my work, because for me they symbolize humanity. The eyes are the most important part, because with their expression, I immediately create the atmosphere of the canvas. For me, portraits are a way to draw our attention to each other. To draw our attention to our common emotions. I want to generate recognition, the realization that we are all people with expectations and dreams. And that we have equal rights, regardless of where we came into the world.
What is your least favorite type of art?
I feel little affinity with art that does not evoke emotions. I don't think it's enough for art to just be beautiful. It must, in some way, cause movement in the viewer.
Do you think your art gets enough attention or do you just not care?
I'm not really concerned with whether my art gets enough attention. For me, making art is like breathing. I will always continue doing it, because it gives meaning to my life.
And hopefully in a way, my art can touch the lives and hearts of some other people.
Can you describe your art in one sentence?
My art tells the story of humanity, in all its variety, color, chaos and balance.