Lotus Krabbé (2001)

soloshows

1 July - 16 July 2023

1 July - 10 July 2022 (debut show)

Amsterdam - On Saturday July 1th, exactly one year after she debuted in this gallery, the second solo exhibition of the talented artist Lotus Krabbé (Amsterdam, 2001) will open at De Hallen Amsterdam. Lotus is the fifth generation of artists from the artistic family Krabbé. "I mainly show works that I have made in the past year, a lot of oil on canvas. But also small works on paper and cardboard. Mostly moments from my daily life, a look at my diary.” During this exhibition, 35 new paintings and drawings will be on show.

What has the past year brought you?

“In the past year I have become more rooted. After last year's exhibition I needed time to come to myself. I moved into my own house, have a nice side job at a restaurant and a vintage clothing store and I take every day as it comes. I've discovered that I work well when I don't have sky-high expectations of myself and follow my own pace. The reactions to my work give me a lot of confidence.”

How do you describe your work?

My work is figurative and expressionistic. A good friend of mine always says I'm kind of a photographer, but with paintings. I paint what my eye sees; sometimes an atmospheric image, sometimes a detail of a situation. I find inspiration all around me. Everyday moments, street scenes. A woman selling magazines, the sparkle of wine in a glass. I look at boats on the canals and their reflections in the water and then I see a painting. In the past year I have also made a few trips, I take all those new impressions with me in my head. But I also get along well with life in Amsterdam, there is plenty going on here and with my sketchbook always in my pocket I catch many beautiful moments.''

How does your artistic family influence your work?

There is a lot of trust and motivation in my family, because I'm a 5th generation painter it couldn't be otherwise.. but we all just do our own thing, and it doesn't feel like I started painting because of them. But it is very special that it has been passed down through generations.

Who or what do you like to watch yourself?

“To films, photos and books. I have a book of poems by William Butler Yeats, politician, writer and dramaturge. I can get completely lost in his poems. And of course I look at paintings a lot. I'm going to London soon especially for two exhibitions of my favorite artists, Alice Neil and Peter Doig. Alice Neil made beautiful portraits, so touching and sincere. And Peter Doig is a fantastic modern painter, he mainly paints snapshots in an almost nostalgic emotional way, with beautiful use of color.

How do you proceed?

“I usually work from small sketches or photographs. Often later in the day, I'm not a morning person. Then I can just sit in my studio from 4 pm to 1 am. Or at home, I have transformed my living room into a painting room. I often get into a hyperfocus and then I also forget to eat and drink. I have ADD and painting is about the only thing I can focus on mindlessly for hours on end. Then I put on my music and get to work. I really listen to everything, but lately mostly 80s punk, Essential Logic and Suburban Lawns. And also a lot to Boudewijn de Groot and Madou. My urge to paint is continuous. It's a feeling much bigger than myself. I think a lot of artists have that, a flow of a greater force to create art.”

What is characteristic of this exhibition?

“These are mainly works that I have made in the past year, a lot of oil on canvas. But also small works on paper and cardboard. Mostly moments from my daily life. That is the common thread: a look at my diary.”

For press inquiries and press images mail: hello@iloveillustrationgallery.com