Femke ter Brake
Artist Femke ter Brake, working under the name Studio Femke ter Brake, draws her inspiration from both the joyful memories of her childhood and the complexity of life itself.
Her work consists of ceramic objects, sculptures, and wall pieces that often refer to things that made her happy as a child, such as the playfulness of candy necklaces, the colors of M&M's, the soft curves of a donut, or a cheerful balloon.
By transforming these childlike moments into ceramics, she aims to bring back the pure, carefree happiness of the past and invite the viewer to feel like a child again. The cheerful colors and shapes of her work evoke a sense of playfulness and wonder, making you long for the simple joy of youth.
You can recognize her work by its vibrant, cheerful colors and the amusing accents woven into her objects. These playful details not only bring a smile to your face but also invite you to look closely at the work and marvel at the small surprises each piece contains.
Femke works from her home studio, where she creates her ceramic objects with love and craftsmanship. She specializes in hand-building techniques and works with slabs of clay. Each object is unique, with fingerprints and subtle imperfections that tell the story of the maker. For Femke, imperfection is a strength, a tribute to the imperfection of life, which carries beauty and authenticity within it.
In addition to its playful aspect, her work also has a deeper layer that reflects on the difficulties and conflicts in life. For example, the work "De Overgave" (The Surrender), a peace dove, symbolizes her vision of situations where you try everything to resolve a conflict, but simply cannot progress. This artwork invites reflection on those moments when, no matter how hard we try, we have no control, yet must find peace with the situation.
With her work, Femke hopes to inspire people to appreciate the small, simple things in life and to rediscover the joy they often forget in their busy lives. The art serves as a reminder to embrace the beauty of the moment in all circumstances, both in difficult and happy times.