Ernst van Hoek

Since the beginning of 2020 and inspired by the father of collage Henri Matisse, artist and designer Ernst van Hoek has started exploring the world of the paper cut-outs. He approaches the creation of imagery in a personal and unique manner, with a bright and contrasting use of colour. A wide range of sources, photographs and real objects inspire his fascination with contemporary representation of the queer body. His practice embodies the experiences he has with people in the marginalised queer community – both on- and offline. It’s no stretch to say that queerness continues to render one an outlaw in society. He finds: “Given the disturbing circumstances our world currently is facing, I consider it to be a matter of utmost urgency to speak out now. We, the queer community, must look out for how our freedoms might be stripped from us and to resist the encroachments of fascism and oppression. In any case, the dark cloud did not arise in 2020 – it only became more visible.”