Maarten Krol

I see my paintings as a collage of some sort, various pieces of fabrics are layered over one another and sewn together creating a new whole. This sewing process is a slow and deliberate one, and it allows me to engage with the materials in a tactile and intimate way. My paintings are created not by necessarily adding things onto a canvas but rather by changing what the canvas is itself. Through this approach, I am able to explore the ways in which painting can interact with textiles and how the two mediums can inform each other. I collect different fabrics from thrift stores and use them for my paintings. Blankets, bedsheets, curtains or just plain fabric; they can all serve as a carrier for my paintings. In a world where consumption and waste are big concerns, I am drawn to the idea of repurposing materials in my work. By using found fabrics, I give new life and meaning to materials that might otherwise be discarded. This emphasis on sustainability and repurposing textile pieces is an integral part of my practice. Ultimately, my work is driven by a fascination with the materiality of painting. Parts of my paintings are often left empty, emphasizing the subtle beauty of the grain of the textiles and the variations in textures. I take the material support and highlight the formal intricacies of a painting’s structure. Emphasizing the subtlety of the painting’s material. Adding onto this subtlety, my color palette is quite limited. Through using these muted colors in my works, I find that there is even more focus for its form. I am always looking for new methods to explore the medium of painting and question what a painting can be.