Mathijs Siemens Creations
Biography
Growing up in a creative family, Mathijs Siemens (Amsterdam, 1982) was always busy making things. In his teenage years he made many drawings, developing in style, from street-art to more figurative and surrealistic drawings in his twenties. After the art academy he became more interested in architectural perspectives, and the function of colour and depth. In that period Mathijs Siemens began to work with different materials, such as resin, wood and foamboard and started adding 3-dimensional elements to his surrealistic artworks. Eventually the next logical thing for him was to free himself from all realistic boundaries and make the step towards abstract art.
For several years now he has been developing techniques in which cotton yarn is the most important material. By putting this fragile yarn under maximum tension, strong figurative compositions are created, whereby the space between the 2 and 3-dimensional is an exciting working field.
Placing layers of thread on top of each other and playing with lines, colours and reliefs brings his artwork to life.
He clearly wants to make colourful and positive work. Sometimes with an almost hallucinatory or kinetic effect, often with an architectural layering.
Artist Statement
With my colourful work I would like to disarm, to temporarily break through the negativity and discomfort I see around me. Transforming the vulnerable yarn into a powerful and expressive statement with its own reality.
In my work, I aim to express a complexity we live in and at the same time feel a constant urge to seek for a positive vibe. Eye candy if you wish, for myself and for others. It’s not only about what you see on the surface. It's more about what it does to the senses.
For me, the challenge lies in the search, the way to the right composition, and the choices you make in the meantime, to find the ideal ratio of colour (contrasts), line games, reliefs and 3-dimensional layering. Trying to step out of the ‘’realistic bubble’’ and see the things without any visual limitations. You are actually working on a state of mind where inspiration and creativity naturally flows.
That is a great feeling!