Liesje van den Berk

Quest or Oxytocine

A journey
Where roads cross

In her drawings and installations Liesje van den Berk talks about the presence of others and herself. Interaction between people and their relationship to space inspire her. In the work Quest of Oxytocin he searches for ways to represent the energy of an embrace. What space exists between yourself and the other? Can you ever really make contact with the other person?
She investigates and depicts these questions in realistic and delicate drawings and performances. In her recent work she draws elusively to visualize the transience of presence. The drawings often develop into installations or performances. This creates direct contact between her, her work and the audience and this interaction is material for new work.

I want to be a leaf of gold leaf
Fragilely, I flutter and whirl with all the winds
Without losing my shine
I look around in wonder
Body language between two people
A brick that turns to dust
How do I relate to space and others?
Drawings grow under my fingers
Like a photo in a developing bath
I “knead” pencil lines until they are tangible
Exist in space
I am present in performances, even though the space is deserted
In this way I seek contact with others and the space around me
I share my brilliance and wonder
Glistening like a leaf of gold leaf