Akiboji, 2002
ARTIST STATEMENT
My art is my way of interpreting the world. It is through the mediums of acrylic and oil that I have expressed my passion for social justice, human rights issues, religions, and culture.
All of my works are infused with color, texture, and symbols. These become the stories that matter to me; hopefully, they leave some space for others to connect, reflect, and feel too. I would like the audience to not just see the artwork but actually feel it and perhaps see the world slightly differently because of it.
For me, painting is much more than the aesthetic: it is the beginning of the dialogue. It is the questioning, the feeling, and the initiating into action. Each of my works is an opportunity for me to take a stand and invite others to stand with me.
I hope that, in the end, my artwork brings us a little closer to one another in understanding, with a view to creating a kinder, more inclusive world.
EDUCATION
Art has always been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Painting and drawing were not activities I engaged in as a child; rather, they served as my instinctive means of grasping some of the complexities that surrounded me. Curiosity and creativity came naturally and led me to explore both forms from a very young age. That was where my journey as an artist really began.
My formal education began in 2020 at Utrecht School of the Arts in the Netherlands, where I received a degree in design centered on the art of shaping environments that tell stories and create emotional impact. Design had opened my eyes to new ways of thinking, but painting remained the strongest thread that connected me to my own emotions—something that I would always come back to.
I explored some of the other mediums and dabbled in graphic design, but painting was always my anchor. There is this visceral quality to it—a rhythm, an honesty—that allows me to put everything out there. Over time, it became much more than an outlet; it became part of the manner in which I process and articulate who I am.
I am much more convinced now that, with my degree completed, art is not just what I do; it is how I navigate my world. Everything I learned, every insight, and every experience I had along the way contributed to my being the artist I am today.
My graduation project was a series titled "A Tragic Bedtime Story". Two of the five paintings were nominated for the Dutch Royal Award for Modern Painting, a national award promoting emerging talent, and were exhibited at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.
Exhibitions
Royal Award for Modern Painting 2025
Nominated. Exhibition on view 1 February – 31 March 2025 at the Royal Palace, Amsterdam.