ELISABETH KNOPPER

                          

foto: Renée de Groot

Using a predominantly blue palette, I create spaces that are not only physical rooms, but also mental landscapes, in which objects and figures engage in a silent dialogue. Inspired by the everyday – the living room, familiar objects, classical painting – I transform the mundane into a mysterious scene.

Figures stare in thought, objects seem to carry a hidden meaning, and the play of color and composition suggests a reality that cannot be fully fathomed. People are in a moment of introspection; time seems to stand still for a moment. With my paintings, I want to invite the viewer to look not only inward – into the rooms depicted – but also into themselves.

In my work there are echoes of classical compositions, symbolism that refer to ancient stories, and forms that evoke a future that has not yet been written. At the same time, I search for my own language within this tradition – a personal imagination of human existence, with all its enigmas and apparent coincidences.

I prefer not to stick to one way of painting for too long. The adventure of discovery is worth a lot to me, and while creating a work I also closely examine the material each time. I try to look at the familiar material with fresh eyes, I experiment with classical techniques in my own way and try to make the way of painting fit the painted subject.