“A picture is saying a thousand words”Yes, that is one of the sayings that Confucius left us. I admit that there is more than a landslide between Confucius (who was born in 551 B.C.) and Emma van de Steenekamer (ps., born in The Netherlands in 1964) and it may be somewhat bold to relate the two considering the slight status of fame that they have each reached. Nevertheless, face with the task to write a few words on the youngest painting of Emma van de Steenekamer, a 2.00 X 2.00 meter canvas that will soon find its home in Monaco, I could not escape thinking about Confucius. This Chinese man developed himself from a poor-born boy into a philosopher who made wise sayings that help many people learn about nature, the world and human behaviour. Looking at the painting it is not only done by the eyes, like making a painting is not only done by the hand of the painter and the use of brush, knife and paint. As a painting is a reflection of the inner mind of the maker, we need to go deep inside to inhale the spirit of the reflection, without which a proper judgement can not be made and would not be a fair one.
Monaco
Her youngest painting, the most figurative she has made, may serve as proof of her new development. Accepting and daring not to be afraid of the challenge to approach and master the empty canvas, throwing the painter so totally back on his own, asking to be covered and conquered, giving it a life and future. At the time of this writing, the painting does not have a title yet. Knowing the subject of this special occasion she managed to give this canvas a new identity that can only be meant for the beneficiary owner.
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Emma van de SteenekamerIn her normal life, the alter ego of Emma van de Steenekamer is a disciplined person. Straight forward and predominantly guidedby her left side of her brain from where logical, linear thinking, analytical capacity and intellectual functions are helping her to achieve her ambitious business career. However, one of the consequences of driven path and lifestyle is that the other, the right half of the brain tends to be grossly neglected, the home of our intuition, feeling, observations, perceptions, impressions and also our ability to make creative connections and recognize and see through wider processes and perceptions.
Having seen quite a few of her early paintings, I find it remarkable that she succeeded so well in letting the paint flow and the colours come out so brightly and daring. Also, she showed to be able to release the form and interpretation, leading to abstract thinking and expression. Knowing her well, I am glad to diagnose that she has started to give room again to her playful qualities that have been suppressed for so long. It is still a beginning but as I told her already some time ago:” In order to get a feeling for art, you need to be a little older.” She shows that she remembers. Again she is on her way. Oh yes, back to Confucius, I did not start about him without a reason. First of all, because I feel that reading Confucius should further enhance the process of getting two brain halfs in balance, thus leading to a higher level of satisfaction of life and hopefully to an interesting and intriguing, long series of paintings. As a symbol, I add tow more Confucius’ sayings to accompany the Monaco painting:
I truly and sincerely wish the painting well in its future: it deservers it. H.K. Krasenberg 2006, The Gallery, Laren, The Netherlands Many thanksTo family, friends and dear colleagues who supported my career and inspired me and bring to life Emma van de Steenekamer.
Jeanette van Beek |