STELLA VAN DEN EERTWEGH

For me, art is a continuous process of discovery—shaped by personal experiences and a desire to explore the world around me. My name is Stella van den Eertwegh, a young contemporary artist based in Amsterdam. I am working as an artist since my graduation in 2024 from the Breitner Academy with a degree in Art Education.
Since the passing of my father, art became an essential part of my life. As I continue to define my artistic voice, my work explores themes like family, grief, transcendence, and the journey from life to death. The creation of art gives me meaning by anchoring the passage of time and offering opportunities to reflect on who I was and who I want to become. My process is often intuitive, starting with simple drawings or collages, and evolving through a dialogue with the work itself. I primarily use acrylic and oil paints, but I also enjoy experimenting with unconventional materials depending on the piece’s needs.
As a young artist, I am still in the process of shaping my ideas about art and its place in the world. I look to the work of artists like Hilma af Klint, Piet Mondrian, and Wassily Kandinsky, who viewed art as a form of transcendent experience. Their ability to connect with the intangible, the unseen, resonates deeply with me, as I believe that art has the power to evoke emotions and connect with the soul. My work often draws from personal experiences, particularly the loss of my father, leading me to explore themes of grief, healing, and the mysteries of life. After losing someone to cancer, the concept of malignant cell division has also captured my attention, as I reinterpret this biological error as a way to reclaim power and heal from the disruptions of this disease.
Through my art, I aim to create work that invites reflection and connection. In a world where divisions often seem insurmountable, I hope my work reminds viewers of the common ground we share. I seek to explore universal themes like loss, transformation, and the mysteries of existence, with the hope of inspiring empathy and meaningful dialogue.