Elise Eekhout

THE EXPLORATION OF IMAGINATION

Thanks to smartphones, tablets, etc. we are busy with (moving) images almost all day long. Because of this we tend to forget how special it is that we can read. If you consider it, it is a very fascinating fact: text is nothing but a series of signs in a row, to which we have assigned meanings. We can experience a whole range of feelings and emotions, just by looking at those signs. We use our imagination and move in the text. We are so used to this that we don't think about it.

In fact, because of our "visual" norms/habits, I sometimes like to refer to these as "visual complacency", we are in danger of slowly losing this mysterious quality. We are so used to seeing images on a screen that we forget that we can create images in our minds.

In life, many are continuously searching for answers, exploring for limits that define who we think we are, and we are constraining ourselves to our perceived "sized box".

I object to this "complacent norm" of superficially constraining oneself when the alternative can be freedom and insightful pleasures.

I want us to be free, free to use our fantasy and imagination to come up with creative solutions to unexpected problems.

Most people lose the ability to think outside the box as they grow up, to fantasize without boundaries. Their minds are accustomed to all the limitations of the real world. They have forgotten that stories and dreams have no limitations. Books and narratives give us the freedom to live multiple lives, as often as we want and different every time.

I visualize narratives and dreams in my paintings. I use the magical appeal of texts in my artwork. It is my intention to take you into my paintings by means of “narration – imagination – exploration” and to make you fantasize new dreams. To let you explore the limitlessness of your imagination. To make you dream without boundaries. I want you to experience how much freedom imagination gives.

I want you to engage in a conversation about what you experience when you look at my painting. A conversation with yourself, with me, with others. I want you to explore: what do you see, what do you feel, what do you think?

Your impression of the painting is yours. It cannot be wrong, because there is no "right impression". My art should reflect what you see and feel, coloured by your own context and experiences. There is beauty in that. Everyone sees and feels different, as long as they are willing to listen to their own inner voice and their imagination.

Before entering the professional artworld, Elise Eekhout has been a successful graphic designer for over 20 years. She started her own graphic design company whilst studying at St. Joost Art School (Breda, The Netherlands).

1994 - 1998 Grafisch Lyceum Rotterdam, Graphic Design, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
1996 - 1998 Art School Willem de Kooning, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
1998 - 2002 Art School St. Joost, Breda, The Netherlands

2009 2th prize, Expeditie 2009
2008 Nomination Expeditie 2008
2005 Nomination Frans Hals Award
2003 3th prize G.J. Thiemefonds
2002 Encouragement prize Thinquest uit de Kunst
2002 Nomination Gouden Penning
1998 Nomination Joop Hof Award

2020 (only online exhibitions, due to corona):
Ankerstudios, upcoming, online exhibition
Iamnetwork, upcoming, online exhibition
Vision for Humanity, MindGallery corona-project, since September, online exhibition
Art Rewards, since August, online exhibition
5april1943.be, March, online exhibition

2019:
Joriskerk Amersfoort, group-exhibition, Amersfoort, The Netherlands

2011 - 2018:
Pauze

2010:
Hofboerderij-gallery, duo-exhibition, Wateringen, The Netherlands
Saltro-Gallery, solo-exhibition, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Kunstuitleen-gallery, solo-exhibition, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
Kunstuitleen-gallery, solo-exhibition, Woerden, The Netherlands

2009:
Kunstuitleen-gallery, solo-exhibition, Woerden, The Netherlands
Library, solo-exhibition, The Hague, The Netherlands
Proviciehuis, group-exhibition, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Kunstuitleen-gallery, group-exhibition, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Kunstuitleen-gallery, group-exhibition, IJsselstein, The Netherlands
Reactive, solo-exhibition, IJsselstein, The Netherlands
Healthclub IJsselstein, solo-exhibition, IJsselstein, The Netherlands

2008:
Healthclub IJsselstein, solo-exhibition, IJsselstein, The Netherlands
Kunst-in-Ahoy, group-exhibition, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
‘Voordeligste Salon, group-exhibition, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Kunstuitleen-gallery, group-exhibition, IJsselstein, The Netherlands

2005:
Meermanno Museum, group-ehibition, The Hague, The Netherlands

2004:
Townhall Nieuwegein, various group-exhibitions, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
KCN-gallery, various group-exhibition, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands

2003:
Project presentation/workshop, Scryption, Tilburg, The Netherlands
Townhall Rotterdam, solo-exhibition, Marconietoren, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
KCN-gallery, various group-exhibition, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands

2002:
KCN-gallery, various group-exhibition, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
St. Joost, graduation-exhibition, Breda, The Netherlands

(Post) impressionisme
Expressionisme
Contemporary Art
Vincent Van Gogh
Wassily Kandinsky
Paul Klee
Pablo Picasso
Karel Martens
Christian Boltanski

nature, city, expressionisme, colorful, corona, text