Tessa van der Klis

*Trigger warning: Sexual Abuse*

Tessa van der Klis works with graphic printing techniques and ceramics. The dreamy imagery in her work contrasts sharply with the weighty subjects she explores. She draws inspiration from a past experience with sexual abuse. She uses her feelings, thoughts, dreams, and nightmares as a starting point for her work. It's a way to process and share her story.

Her working method is intuitive; images emerge organically and without preconceived plans. She creates atmosphere through contrasts, the use of colour (or its absence), and precise lines. In this way, she creates worlds in which the viewer can get lost.

As her graduation project, she presents large tetrahedron prints and ceramic tiles. Together, all the individual works form the larger narrative. The black-and-white works recount her darkest periods, when memories flooded back into her mind and it all became too much for her. In later, colourful works, she depicts hope—hope for the future, where she can process everything and move on.

Tessa wants to inspire herself and others with her work to not to be held back by unpleasant events. By sharing her story, she wants to show: you are not alone.