Ineke Heerkens

The balls, the chains, the tree

To keep in hand or to let it get out of hand; In dealing with her material, Ineke Heerkens does both (and everything in between). Pushing, pulling, clawing, lowering, hanging out. Laying layer upon layer, fitting fragment to fragment, she makes jewelry and ornaments.
She has a preference for organic, flowing and asymmetrical shapes. Stone and shell appear again and again, just like in Rococo, and overwhelming fantasy figures from the 17th century Kwab style are never far away. Heerkens continues to experiment with it in a visual language that results directly from the handicraft. Her own hands are often the starting point.

For some time now, the jewelry maker has been thinking about making his own Christmas baubles and decorating a tree with his own decorations. Just as a person 'dresses up' for a special occasion with special accessories and special decorations.
As an unruly field chapel, the MvAT is exactly the right place for this tree. The shortest days of the year are the perfect period. Work that is seriously rooted in ritual and tradition, that plays frivolously with beauty and greed. The balls, the chains and glittering beads.

The balls, the chains, the tree of
Ineke Heerkens

Fro November 30, 2019 to January 11, 2020.