Pam van Kampen

I have been painting for almost 20 years now, and during this time, the human figure has been central to my art. I have explored it through different mediums, like acrylic or oil on canvas or masonite board, pen and ink on paper and wood cuts. I do a lot of drawing from life models, who are all friends, so I know them personally. For the paintings however, I am mainly using pictures of the models. These pictures are taken by myself or my husband, who is also an artist.

I feel that my works convey many underlying ideas, like the role of the feminine in society; the need of but also problems with persona (mask); mythological stories and people's
(dis)comfort with nudity. I think however, that I portray the meaning in a subtle way; letting the viewer rather absorb it over time that bombard the viewer with strong and explicit images (including text). Despite the gravity of ideas in my works, I believe that art should hit the emotions before it hits the mind. I prefer to explain after a viewer has looked at my works for a while. I want to give people a change to respond with their own "heart, gut and mind" before showering him/her with rational and at times academic explanations.

Since the summer of 2002, I have started to add beads to my works. At first, there was no particular thought behind it, other than that it looked good. Over time, I started to realize that the beads are the feminine element, that is compensating for the otherwise traditional and rather masculine medium of oil painting.

And what can an artist do more than speak for herself? Working with the figure in oil has often meant "work" for me, perfection to an extent, moments of disappointment and frustration, but also of accomplishment and achievement. It has always included being driven, with an invisible "thou shalt" and "not good enough" finger pointing at me. Working with the beads, on the other hand, has given me more the experience of play, joy, fun, a letting go, and acceptance of how the work is at the moment. It has allowed me to be rather than do. I just love the two energies coming together!

On a more social level. I am making a statement about the value of beadwork, of women's work, of women's ability to make art if only they were given the space and respect. I like to think that I am contributing in a little way to the shift happening in society: the shift towards increased acceptance of and honor for the feminine in all of us and our culture as a whole.

Personal background

I am a 41 year old Dutch woman who immigrated to Canada in 1987. In 1993 I settled in Whitehorse, Yukon. In 1998 and 1990 I had several art shows in Vancouver. I also had a few art exhibitions in Whitehorse, but had a break from promoting my art until recently, as my main focus was my two children who were born in 1998 and 1999. I am also a practicing physiotherapist; another angle to my interest in and knowledge of, the human body.

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Gallery

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Mini-site designed and coded by Christopher Wheeler for Pam van Kampen. December, 2005.
Mini-site Design Copyright © Chris Wheeler and Pam van Kampen. All artwork displayed here is the property of Pam van Kampen. Please do not use images without the permission of the artist.