My work tells tales through impressions.

In series of narrative oil paintings, drawings and sometimes photographs and videos I try to achieve an intimate, direct relationship with my subject matter.

The border areas of traditional contradictions such as power and powerlessness, beauty and decay, and nature versus culture are being examined over and over again.

The painted objects, bodies and places are given a simmering tension below the painterly surface.
I would like to use the word 'begeesterd' or spirited for the essence of the physical world that I want to capture.
By either using distortion, transparency or alienating light I translate reality and all its facets to my canvas.
Painting is for me the ultimate attempt to get closer to my subject, to fathom the other, to understand, and to connect, and gradually coming to the realization that connecting with someone means letting a fragment of their being become part of yours. I am far less autonomous than I often believe to be. A porous identity replaces a static “I” with a fluid “we”.

I want my work to communicate non-verbally, to unfold slowly and to leave room for contemplation, doubt and not-knowing.

• Anya Janssen

Artists: Anya Janssen