Exhibition Ontdekkingstocht

At first glance, the works in Liesbeth van der Zee’s exhibition do not seem to have much to do with thread and fabric, nor with the technique of weaving.

She studied at the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam in the 1980s, when the department was called “Idea and Concept Development.” Over the years, her work has evolved toward a project-based approach, which also means she selects her materials based on the project she is currently working on. Projects from recent years are usually conceived in her studio and executed elsewhere. For Iceland, she created a “Dead Wood Library” (using driftwood); in Scandinavia, the rising water level was the subject (using embroidery thread and linen); and in Ireland, she repeatedly visited the same stretch of beach and examined the traces left by the ocean’s water on the shore (using nylon thread and a crochet hook). As a result, the exhibition will feature a wide variety of works created using different techniques.

In the attic, the boats stored there tell stories of distant journeys, the movement of water, and human fragility. The two rooms will feature works from different periods and created using a variety of techniques. Inspired by an earlier work based on a visit to the enchanting, fairy-tale-like landscape of Bryce Canyon in the U.S., she has created several new pieces. Between periods of working on major projects, she paints because the technique requires a special level of concentration. Since her working method manifests itself differently each time, she will give a short talk in February about the creation of the embroidery she made for her project on rising sea levels.

During the exhibition period in January and February 2027, Liesbeth will be present on several Saturdays or Sundays.