ABOUT THE ARTIST            

Nina was born in Amstelveen, the Netherlands, and spent most of her adolescent years in Amsterdam. In 1994, she attended the Gerrit Rietveld Academy, an independent and internationally oriented university of applied sciences for Fine Arts and Design in Amsterdam. After her art education, she decided to "paint from life". Nina traveled to various countries and settled in New York in 2001.  

From a very young age, her insatiable curiosity in our minds made her create art as a poem, a story. As a child, she often wished to be a foreigner, see society from another perspective, and break free from the social norms of her native country. Breaking free became the one reason to travel. She started following her compass and became a foreigner as a first-generation immigrant in the United States. Her artworks are part of the stories she has seen, lived, or learned, including larger-scale social and environmental issues.

  “My works are narrative poems of life. They emerge from my insatiable curiosity into the mind, soul, and society, whereafter they take off on their journey".

While living in New York, she fell into the secondary art market by chance, where she experienced the inner workings of this world. Her direct interaction with the Masters of the Arts in the secondary market greatly influenced her work.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My creative process started early in life with an insatiable curiosity in our minds and souls and how that related to my life. In combination with my personal life experiences, my artwork began to study and reflect integral parts of society, popular culture, and the complexity of it all. The work explores strengths, weaknesses, and imperfections. It functions as a mirror's reflection portraying individuals, groups, and issues related to society in its entirety.

" The moment I realized art was my voice, I opened my mouth and never closed it again."

I try to provoke feelings, thoughts, and dialog with various art forms. This cognitive triangle is part of our growth, innovation, and understanding of our role in the world. Therefore, the observer of my work is always an integral part of the piece. I do not try to shock or influence what they feel or think. That is part of their journey.

My works encompass multiple art media. I like to use them freely throughout my collections. They are my building blocks to create the experience.

As a contemporary painter, my works show constraint and tension in a dance of sharp shadows and lines representing movement, vibration, and sound. An extra dimension added through layers changes a 2-dimensional flat canvas into a 3-dimensional experience.

CURRENT PROJECTS

Nina is currently working on a series #ofwhichiam in which she explores the development and role of cultural heritage on an individual.

Cultural awareness can help break down cultural barriers and build bridges, by learning how to appreciate and respect those who are different from you. You come to understand more about yourself and your own culture, you'll learn how to relate better to individuals from different cultural backgrounds which can lead to peace. I call all artists. Join me in #ofwhichiam movement for cultural understanding and peace.


Feel free to contact the studio at ninavanalphenart@gmail.com or +1 (516) 413-2724


Artist Nina van Alphen

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