Catharina — Barbara van den Berg

Available sizes:
22,5 x 30 cm or 30 x 40 cm edition of 12
60 x 80 cm, edition 9
90 x 120 cm, edition 6
120 x 160 cm, edition 3

In the series, Behind the Seen, girls are presented in exaggerated costume to emphasize femininity. The name of this series is an appropriation of the theatrical idiom, ‘behind the scene’. For the artist, this references to what is behind the mere visible and behind the façade. Employing both Pop and contemporary elements, I use embellishments of puffed sleeves, large collars and crinoline dresses to emphasise the enduring power of female. The portrait compositions take from Old Master paintings, and the enchanting girls be put down within a dreamy, playful atmosphere. The digital collages are an assemblage of photographs of children and women to comprise a new image that embodies the diversity and complexity of humanity.