Online Viewing Shake It Off, Let It Drop

Until the 30th of December you can visit the solo exhibition Shake It Of, Let It Drop by Karen van de Vliet in our gallery.

For this exhibition, Karen van de Vliet presents an overview of works from the past two years to now. During this time, she was able to let go of premeditated actions and create works that are truly her own. Her paintings were given more room, not just within the stains, but also in terms of form. Large canvases hanging from the ceiling of the gallery space are displayed in addition to several other artworks that take viewers along her journey in abstract painting. The exhibition reminds one of the 19th century Parisian Salon, put together in a contemporary way. Her evolving practice is made visible through the use of colours, the employment of materials and the variation between different textures.

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.

Water is an essential part of her practice. There is something in the diffuseness, in the transparency, and in the layering of colours that pulls her in. She uses those characteristics of water, always moving, always seeming to do its own thing, to create in-depth paintings. In essence, water allows her to move away from what should be, and embrace what is. The search for a state of freedom without judgement 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.

Photography by Jacqueline Fuijkschot
Location: Robert Fruinstraat 52, 6th floor, Rotterdam