Tree of Life – Jantien Jongsma
Museum JAN presents an overview of the work of Jantien Jongsma (1965). Her colorful work revolves around the life cycle and draws inspiration from folk art and samplers. Jongsma blends personal experiences with location-specific cultural history, resulting in imaginative art often inspired by places where she has lived.
The exhibition Tree of Life includes Jongsma's work from the past 15 years. Her monumental work The Tree of Life(2008) is the earliest of her works that is constructed like a tapestry, without perspective or depth. From the edges, the cycle of human life is depicted in circular form, intertwined with personal scenes. The delicate, graphic cross-stitch drawings are in contrast with the strong and expressive painting of the tree of life.
The drawing Amsterdam (2…
Museum JAN presents an overview of the work of Jantien Jongsma (1965). Her colorful work revolves around the life cycle and draws inspiration from folk art and samplers. Jongsma blends personal experiences with location-specific cultural history, resulting in imaginative art often inspired by places where she has lived.
The exhibition Tree of Life includes Jongsma's work from the past 15 years. Her monumental work The Tree of Life(2008) is the earliest of her works that is constructed like a tapestry, without perspective or depth. From the edges, the cycle of human life is depicted in circular form, intertwined with personal scenes. The delicate, graphic cross-stitch drawings are in contrast with the strong and expressive painting of the tree of life.
The drawing Amsterdam (2012) clearly shows the influence of topographic maps. Following the example of medieval maps showing the earth schematically with place names and inscribed events such as battles, Jongsma has started her own series. She fills maps of Dutch places like Harlingen, Franeker, Sint Jacobi Parochie, Dokkum and Amsterdam with illustrated stories from her own life. Some of these are featured in the exhibition.
She believes that nature is an essential precondition for a harmonious society in which a city also needs light, air and space. That is the reason why nature has become an increasingly prominent subject in her work.
Her most recent work incorporates scenes from the theatrical and dance world featuring characters in playful costumes. Playing children and dancing adults in an urban landscape are surrounded by greenery and architecture. Jongsma imagines all human movements to be one big choreography.
When
- Every tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday, saturday and sunday until february 4th, 2024 from 11:00 to 17:00
