Freedom
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| Portrait of Elleke van Win courtesy of Elleke van Win with permission from the author |
The first feeling I had when I discovered the artwork of Elleke van Win was that I was in front of a deeply talented and totally free spirit with a very interesting sense of humour. Elleke van Win was born in Mechelen, Belgium, in 1980 and gets her inspiration from the daily life. She had a professional commercial career even being the owner of a clothing store. After that she was working as a graphic designer for the company The Foodmaker but one day she decided to leave everything behind and start a new life in which she felt really alive. Since then, art is her way of life. Her paintings are a perfect reflection of her personality and life attitude: freedom, happiness and curiosity. She has studied visual arts, monumental arts, fine arts painting, antique dealer, graphic and web design and art history, but she is always expermienting with new techniques and with life itself. In 2018 she had exhibited her work in solo and group shows in different belgian cities and has started the ART against global warming, an art project to create awareness both for citizens and politicians about our decisions in relation with the environment.
What does art mean to you?
For me, it’s a way to express myself. But I don’t do that visually only. Besides painting, I also write, dance and sing, like an amateur of course. But most of all, I’m well versed in the conversational arts. I continually do self-reflection and I immediately deal with that by expressing my feelings. I mainly paint when writing or talking is not enough to process something. If I don’t paint for a period then I'm pretty frustrated. So I have to make sure that I am constantly working on a piece, then I am completely peaceful. it’s a kind of therapy for me.
My daily life is my biggest source of inspiration. I process what I see and experience. Luckily I have a busy life that gives me enough inspiration to make paintings all year round. People who are close to me see what my paintings are about. For others it seems surrealistic work.
When do you feel you are in front a finished work?
For me it is not ready until it looks like it is in my mind. Then it feels like a salvation. When I work on a painting, it feels very intense. I am a mix of all kinds of feelings. Frustrated, excited, disappointed, euphoric, energetic, longing, determined, happy, relaxed and satisfied. I have a love and hate relationship with painting. when I'm working on it, I think it's the ugliest painting I ever made, but once it's finished I think it's the best thing I ever did. Only a month after it is finished, I have a sober look at it and I see it as an object and no longer with a feeling.
For me, it’s a way to express myself. But I don’t do that visually only. Besides painting, I also write, dance and sing, like an amateur of course. But most of all, I’m well versed in the conversational arts. I continually do self-reflection and I immediately deal with that by expressing my feelings. I mainly paint when writing or talking is not enough to process something. If I don’t paint for a period then I'm pretty frustrated. So I have to make sure that I am constantly working on a piece, then I am completely peaceful. it’s a kind of therapy for me.
When did you decide to become an artist?
I am restless kind of girl. I feel the need to change my life now and then, so that I can feel that I’m alive. I already had very different jobs up to now. Sometimes I think, 'that seems like a fantastic job'. And then I'm going to study for that profession. A few years later I am usually tired of it and then I become something else again. Artist also seemed to me a nice profession. So I gave up my fantastic job from one day to the next so that I could throw myself completely into the world of art. Not an obvious choice as a single mother of four, but I have not regretted it for a second. People declare me crazy or unstable, but I just don’t have the fear of life and I'm the happiest woman in the world. And thank God, my paintings are appreciated, so if I’m careful with money, I can make ends meet by painting.
Where does your inspiration come from?
I am restless kind of girl. I feel the need to change my life now and then, so that I can feel that I’m alive. I already had very different jobs up to now. Sometimes I think, 'that seems like a fantastic job'. And then I'm going to study for that profession. A few years later I am usually tired of it and then I become something else again. Artist also seemed to me a nice profession. So I gave up my fantastic job from one day to the next so that I could throw myself completely into the world of art. Not an obvious choice as a single mother of four, but I have not regretted it for a second. People declare me crazy or unstable, but I just don’t have the fear of life and I'm the happiest woman in the world. And thank God, my paintings are appreciated, so if I’m careful with money, I can make ends meet by painting.
Where does your inspiration come from?
My daily life is my biggest source of inspiration. I process what I see and experience. Luckily I have a busy life that gives me enough inspiration to make paintings all year round. People who are close to me see what my paintings are about. For others it seems surrealistic work.
When do you feel you are in front a finished work?
For me it is not ready until it looks like it is in my mind. Then it feels like a salvation. When I work on a painting, it feels very intense. I am a mix of all kinds of feelings. Frustrated, excited, disappointed, euphoric, energetic, longing, determined, happy, relaxed and satisfied. I have a love and hate relationship with painting. when I'm working on it, I think it's the ugliest painting I ever made, but once it's finished I think it's the best thing I ever did. Only a month after it is finished, I have a sober look at it and I see it as an object and no longer with a feeling.
First word that comes to my mind when I look at your work is surrealism. Does it fit to you? Is surrealism a better way to express what reality is for you?
I understand very well that spectators find it surreal, but I can give a realistic explanation for each image. And then some say some, ‘and what about that? That did not really happen?’ Yep, it really happend, believe me. For me it does not really matter which painting style is assigned to my work. Not even if they like it or not. It makes me happy if they like it. But if I'm honest, I just want to do what I love, I don’t care much the rest.
I understand very well that spectators find it surreal, but I can give a realistic explanation for each image. And then some say some, ‘and what about that? That did not really happen?’ Yep, it really happend, believe me. For me it does not really matter which painting style is assigned to my work. Not even if they like it or not. It makes me happy if they like it. But if I'm honest, I just want to do what I love, I don’t care much the rest.
Is your art your way to express openly your feelings or do you hide them behind that surrealism?
I can’t hide anything. My facial expressions would betray me. You can read from my face how I think about something or how I feel. Because of this I learned from childhood to be very honest about my feelings. I am an open book. That is both my best and my worst quality. I have no secrets and I do not feel shame either. What you see is what you get. I would not know why I would pretend to be different than I am, people must take me as I am, whit all my flaws. Love it or leave it.
I can’t hide anything. My facial expressions would betray me. You can read from my face how I think about something or how I feel. Because of this I learned from childhood to be very honest about my feelings. I am an open book. That is both my best and my worst quality. I have no secrets and I do not feel shame either. What you see is what you get. I would not know why I would pretend to be different than I am, people must take me as I am, whit all my flaws. Love it or leave it.
And there is also a kind of black humor. No interest on the bright side of life?
I live completely on the bright side of life. Humor is the most important thing for me. My laughter is also very loud, you can hear me from far and I do that all day long. Humor really keeps me happy, we should not take life seriously. My friends are all funny. And that’s also what I am looking for in a man, only those who laugh a lot and have beautiful smile can win my heart. You can see that on my canvas as well. If I experience something bad, I try to laugh with it, as much as possible. But that is a bit self-mockery, and that’s probably what you see as black humor. And I think that's a good thing.
I live completely on the bright side of life. Humor is the most important thing for me. My laughter is also very loud, you can hear me from far and I do that all day long. Humor really keeps me happy, we should not take life seriously. My friends are all funny. And that’s also what I am looking for in a man, only those who laugh a lot and have beautiful smile can win my heart. You can see that on my canvas as well. If I experience something bad, I try to laugh with it, as much as possible. But that is a bit self-mockery, and that’s probably what you see as black humor. And I think that's a good thing.
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| Elleke van Win Crazy Acrylic on canvas. 100 x 100 X 4 cm © + courtesy of Elleke van Win |
I would say there is a punk attitude. What artists are your references?
I don’t seek inspiration from other artists. Although I have, of course, idols on that level. Frida Kahlo, not so much for her work, but I feel akin to her personality. Jeroen Bosch, it’s crazy what he created at that time. crazy but genius (and humorous). Neo Rauch, I love his use of color. Jan Muës, what he does with watercolor, I have never seen anyone do before. And of course, also the fantastic humor that he shows in his works.
I don’t seek inspiration from other artists. Although I have, of course, idols on that level. Frida Kahlo, not so much for her work, but I feel akin to her personality. Jeroen Bosch, it’s crazy what he created at that time. crazy but genius (and humorous). Neo Rauch, I love his use of color. Jan Muës, what he does with watercolor, I have never seen anyone do before. And of course, also the fantastic humor that he shows in his works.
Love and sex are very present in your work, but always with a sad feeling. Do you think the social conventions in relationships are a kind of jail, a trap?
I strongly believe in love, I am romantic and passionate. But unfortunately I have never been able to taste real love. I have an outspoken personality and that scares off men apparently. Only the men who don’t take me seriously do not fear me. As a result, I often fall on men who don’t love me and have no respect for me. But I can live with that because karma always comes to the rescue. It is very strange, but it seems like I have some kind of guardian angel. People who are good to me get a lot of happiness, people who treat me badly get bad luck. And it is not that I want that, but it always happens that way.
Yet I know well what I want and I refuse to accept the fact that a passionate relationship can’t be good relationship. If I have a relationship that doesn’t have that, something will die
in me. My brain is fed by passion, so I can be creative. I still believe that I can meet someone who is on the same level as me. But even a relationship isn’t a must for me because I am also a happy woman without a relationship. At this moment there is no man living in my head. And I notice that I often paint portraits during those periods. So love is my biggest source of inspiration.
I strongly believe in love, I am romantic and passionate. But unfortunately I have never been able to taste real love. I have an outspoken personality and that scares off men apparently. Only the men who don’t take me seriously do not fear me. As a result, I often fall on men who don’t love me and have no respect for me. But I can live with that because karma always comes to the rescue. It is very strange, but it seems like I have some kind of guardian angel. People who are good to me get a lot of happiness, people who treat me badly get bad luck. And it is not that I want that, but it always happens that way.
Yet I know well what I want and I refuse to accept the fact that a passionate relationship can’t be good relationship. If I have a relationship that doesn’t have that, something will die
in me. My brain is fed by passion, so I can be creative. I still believe that I can meet someone who is on the same level as me. But even a relationship isn’t a must for me because I am also a happy woman without a relationship. At this moment there is no man living in my head. And I notice that I often paint portraits during those periods. So love is my biggest source of inspiration.
What is society for you?
I never follow the rules, I often color outside the book. I’m living at my own pace and my values. But I do this without hurting or bothering people. I have respect for everyone that respects me.
I follow politics a bit, but I myself will never have the intention to step in to that world. Democracy is great of course. But it’s almost like a popularity contest and no longer about the competence of the politicians. And that bothers me. We should be able to vote on the objectives from various parties. Then we are finished with keeping up appearances. Maybe then it’s about content with competence people. People who dare to take decisions without having to fear of losing votes.
And last but not least, about our society, I adapt quickly everywhere. I can live In poverty, but also with wealth. I have experienced both.
For me everything is fine, as long as I surround myself with honest people. People who are not honest will be removed mercilessly out of my life. That may sound rough, but because of this I hardly have any frustrations and I am enjoying my life.
I never follow the rules, I often color outside the book. I’m living at my own pace and my values. But I do this without hurting or bothering people. I have respect for everyone that respects me.
I follow politics a bit, but I myself will never have the intention to step in to that world. Democracy is great of course. But it’s almost like a popularity contest and no longer about the competence of the politicians. And that bothers me. We should be able to vote on the objectives from various parties. Then we are finished with keeping up appearances. Maybe then it’s about content with competence people. People who dare to take decisions without having to fear of losing votes.
And last but not least, about our society, I adapt quickly everywhere. I can live In poverty, but also with wealth. I have experienced both.
For me everything is fine, as long as I surround myself with honest people. People who are not honest will be removed mercilessly out of my life. That may sound rough, but because of this I hardly have any frustrations and I am enjoying my life.
And existence?
I’m very well aware that life is very short. That is why I try every day to make it a productive one. I don’t feel the need to write history, I am mainly concerned with my own happiness and with the happiness of the people that I love. I have no urge to make a career and also money is unimportant for me. I want to develop myself, know stuff and learn things. If I would say that tomorrow is my last day, I can already say that I have had a well-filled life. (But I’m not ready to die of course)
I’m very well aware that life is very short. That is why I try every day to make it a productive one. I don’t feel the need to write history, I am mainly concerned with my own happiness and with the happiness of the people that I love. I have no urge to make a career and also money is unimportant for me. I want to develop myself, know stuff and learn things. If I would say that tomorrow is my last day, I can already say that I have had a well-filled life. (But I’m not ready to die of course)
Do you believe in the transformation power of art?
Absolutely. Sometimes I make works that make people think about themselves in a certain way. That is the most important task of the artist. Your work should awaken a feeling to the viewer, that is the only way to connect with your audience. People like your art when you use beautiful images and colors. But people buy your art when you touch them.
Absolutely. Sometimes I make works that make people think about themselves in a certain way. That is the most important task of the artist. Your work should awaken a feeling to the viewer, that is the only way to connect with your audience. People like your art when you use beautiful images and colors. But people buy your art when you touch them.
I have read on your website about a very interesting project called “ART against the global warming”. Could you explain us about it?
I’m the first Belgian artist for Air is art. It is a street art in the busiest street in Belgium. I’m going to work with paint that reduces air pollution. And it's about global warming. It's about awareness. Because if we all think that the person next to us will change, nothing will happens. I want people in the street to look in the mirror. What are you doing to reduce this global problem? Everyone has different values or habits of life, that is quite normal. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t do anything else to help. We have to change our habits, even if that doesn’t change the big picture.
I’m the first Belgian artist for Air is art. It is a street art in the busiest street in Belgium. I’m going to work with paint that reduces air pollution. And it's about global warming. It's about awareness. Because if we all think that the person next to us will change, nothing will happens. I want people in the street to look in the mirror. What are you doing to reduce this global problem? Everyone has different values or habits of life, that is quite normal. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t do anything else to help. We have to change our habits, even if that doesn’t change the big picture.
Could you tell us a dream you have had while sleeping or a childhood memory?
I was in Afrika a few weeks ago and I touched a crocodile. Since that moment i’m dreaming about crocodiles. I dreamed that my youngest daughter was walking to a nest of crocodiles and that I could not stop her in time. Then I woke up. Yesterday I dreamed again that I went to a crocodile and kicked it. I deal with fears in my paintings. That is why I have already painted a shark in the past. Probably there will be a crocodile somewhere on one of my upcoming paintings. Is that what you meant by dreams? Because, of course, I also fantasize. My biggest dream is to have an exhibition in America. Hahahaha, who knows!
I was in Afrika a few weeks ago and I touched a crocodile. Since that moment i’m dreaming about crocodiles. I dreamed that my youngest daughter was walking to a nest of crocodiles and that I could not stop her in time. Then I woke up. Yesterday I dreamed again that I went to a crocodile and kicked it. I deal with fears in my paintings. That is why I have already painted a shark in the past. Probably there will be a crocodile somewhere on one of my upcoming paintings. Is that what you meant by dreams? Because, of course, I also fantasize. My biggest dream is to have an exhibition in America. Hahahaha, who knows!
An interview by Juan Carlos Romero
Photo portrait of Elleke van Win courtesy of the artist
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