Expanding China Series

In the Expanding China series, I returned to my fascination with chinaware. Humanity has a long tradition of making and decorating ceramics. I love the contrast between the polished porcelain and the handmade natural elements I add. Over the years I developed my own techniques to create bonsai trees moss and flowers.

I combine the Asian arts of ikebana, bonsai and penjing with antique porcelain. In the Netherlands, Eastern influence has a long history: even Delft Blue began as an imitation of Chinese and Japanese porcelain. I often use these “imitations” and merge them with my handmade natural forms.

Inspired by the Japanese art of kintsugi, I treat cracks and breakage as part of an object’s history. In my work, nature seems to take over that role—growing through these cultural remnants and reshaping them into something new.