Stephany Caparn, Frank Bruggeman and Remco Dikken
Museum Villa Mondriaan does not only exhibit Mondriaan’s early oeuvre permanently, but also offers a platform to innovative contemporary artists. Besides the main exhibition The Spiritual Path about Mondriaan’s religious quest, the work of photographer Stephany Caparn, artist Frank Bruggeman and painter Remco Dikken are on view since 21 September 2018.
Stylised portrait photography
Stephany Caparn (1991) is inspired in her photography by the stylised portraits from the Renaissance period. The focus of that period on the human body with quiet poses, striking folds in the clothing and life-like images returns in Caparn’s work. Her photography creates a dreamy image of a better world with characteristically fashionable outfits and soft hues.
In the series ‘Nobody Sees a Flower Really’ Caparn plays with today’s archetypes. Caparn’s authentic models selfconsciously pose for her camera with a peaceful attitude. The immortalisation of these people is approached from a romanticised perspective and a contemporary point of view. As a socially active image maker Caparn reacts to stigmas and images in today’s society. Using deviant beauty ideals and bearing cultural diversity in mind, she pays attention to characters and shows appreciation of their individual emotional lives, loves and friendships.
Striking natural objects on design platform
Frank Bruggeman (1966) is an independent artist and designer who is fascinated by man’s influence on nature. Man’s way of dealing with the organic world is prominent in his installations and nature objects. Bruggeman employs both wild and cultivated plants in their live and dried states; in this way he expresses his respect for botanic materials which are neglected or mercilessly discarded by man. The industrial artefacts that he uses in his work are often coated in a characteristic cyan blue colour. The bright blue paint forms a striking contrast with everything organic.
Playful paintings in the villa of Mondrian
The Hengelo-born artist Remco Dikken (1981) has been drawing and painting for years. He finds subjects for his small paintings all around him, from a female dancer to a football field. Above all, Dikken focuses on the image itself. In every work, an isolated subject plays the main role, yet, next to each other the elements of the different paintings create a new narrative. At first glance, Dikken’s work appears black-and-white, but this is a deceptive illusion: upon closer inspection, more colours steadily emerge. Dikken’s pale colour palette is characteristic for him and determines the expression of the paintings. With the strong lines, the lack of perspective and typically lively and atmospheric scenes, the work is always recognisable.