1) LOCATION?

I am based in the Netherlands in the wider Amsterdam region. I live close to the sea and a small wood where I love to walk. 🇳🇱

2) YEARS COLLAGING?

I started making and sharing my collages on insta back in 2016, so almost nine years. Wow, time flies! It feels like things were different then on insta.  I am currently expanding to Pixelfed. It’s like moving house: only take the capsule with you. 

 3) WHY IS COLLAGE AN APPEALING MEDIUM?

Initially, I was drawn to collage because of its immediacy. I did a lot of screen printing before I started collage and that’s so much more labour-intensive. I also really like working with existing images because they are already loaded with meaning, and by intervening, you can totally change that. That’s so cool. I realised that I enjoy working with the fringes of images, the overlooked bits, the backgrounds, the pieces that are not the main focus. I love the texture and the shape you can create and the narrative you can build with these pieces. 

 4) WHO ARE THE BIGGEST INFLUENCES ON YOUR WORK?

The work of Henry Moore really speaks my language. His work is modern but round, maximising it's minimalism to perfection. And all naive and folkloric art rocks. I love going to museums with lots of ancient vases and folkloric textile art. 

 5) ANALOG VS DIGITAL, WHAT ARE THE PROS & CONS OF EACH? 

Analog for sure. In client work, digital can be a real plus but analog is my love.

6) WHAT ARE THREE TIPS FOR SOMEONE STARTING OUT IN COLLAGE? 

1. Make, look around, make some more, look some more, make some more, take a break, look back, lose what doesn’t work for you and then do it all again.

2. Commit! Stick that shit down.

3. Glue disasters happen. Cry and move on.

7) HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR DOWNTIME? 

I love going to ‘kringloopwinkels’ where I get most of my source material.  Also walks in the wood and a glass wine in the sun make me happy so I try to do these things more than scrolling instagram.

8) WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR ART PRACTICE HEADING?

I hope my work will continue to evolve.

9) WHICH THREE ARTISTS SHOULD WE CHECK OUT?

My favourite collage colleague is Vesna Vrdoljak. She had such a distinctive style. Love it. 

Also, check out Celine van den Boorn. She uses acrylic paint to obscure people in the original press photos, painting them away into the surrounding landscape. Check out her series, based on photographs of refugees crossing the European border.

My last recommendation is Erik Mattijssen. His paintings are whimsical, fun and full of layers.

10) WHAT MUSIC ARE YOU LOVING RIGHT NOW?

I honestly prefer the sound of the birds. My favourite sound is my daughter practising her piano. 

11) UP AND COMING SHOWS OR PROJECTS WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT?

Watch this space :)

See more 👀

Website: nicolakloosterman.com
Instagram: @ohdecollage