about
Pien Maessen (1995) | visual artist and educator | based in Arnhem (NL).
In my work I look for controlled inefficiency, it is the purely nonchalant way of working that helps me to generate a certain openness. Due to this way of working, images are created that communicate clearly and confuse at the same time. Communication and language are the main themes in my work. Failures in these themes are my biggest sources of inspiration. The materials I use are in service of the themes at hand, while simultaneously forming the foundation of the way I’m conducting my research. My current work arises from the way latex transforms when it is used and how I communicate with this material. The uncontrollability of the latex is a metaphor for the awkwardness of communication. Control within the uncontrollability.
The reason that communication and language are themes that are always connected with my work is because I originally come from Limburg and speak the Limburg dialect. The Limburgish dialect is a tone language from which I draw a lot of inspiration. On the other hand, it also caused me a lot of trouble with the Dutch language and communicating in it. Miscommunication occurs on a daily basis. Communication is therefore one of the biggest causes of errors where everyone has to deal with. Because communication and language are so important in human existence, this research area is the basis of my work.