By Karen van de Vliet
290 x 140 cm, 2022
Mixed acrylic paint on cotton

Moving away from line and figurative art, Karen van de Vliet developed a new approach to her work that is focused on embracing an imperfect beauty. She is intrigued by shapes that arise on weathered, chipped, broken, planed and dented surfaces. It is in these weathered parts that Karen finds the essence of true beauty. Taking inspiration from these findings, she creates wondrous abstract pieces that depart from her gravitation towards stains. Working with stains enables her to let go of all expectations and give free rein to expression. Hereby, acrylic paint, water and differing other materials are intuitively applied onto the surface. The search for a state of freedom without judgment ends when harmony is reached. When her eye is not drifting away, and attention is brought solely to the work itself. For Karen, creating an artwork is like getting to know a new piece of you with every action you take. In that way, Karen’s work can be described as a reflection of herself, as well as her environment; constantly moving and developing.