WHO's NEXT?
PATRICIA HEUKER OF HOEK
Patricia creates images that speak about the fragility of life. Her subjects seem easily damaged, broken or harmed, but they posses a lot of strengths within them.
A part of her creative process is to watch her teenage daughters grow up and become strong and self-respecting girls in a harsh opinionated world.
Patricia tries to show that their strength is a beauty that outshines all opinions and believes in the beauty we all possess.
Q. Could you please introduce yourself and tell us how you started out in the art industry?
A. My name is Patricia Heuker of Hoek. I am 48 years old and I live in a rural part of the Netherlands, with my husband and 2 children.
8 months ago I started a 3-year course in Photographic Design at the University of applied photography in Apeldoorn. I have a Masters degree in Communication Science from the University of Amsterdam and after years of working in internet communication, I recently found my passion in autonomous photography / art photography. This passion has been a part of me since I was young. I think in images, not in words. I did go to art school when I was 19, but back then I wasn’t ready to be criticised about something I put my heart and soul in. I probably still have problems with that.
I signed up for photography classes to learn the technical part of photography. Now, after a few months I learned, that the technique is not what attracts me, it is the endless possibilities to create something!
"I think in images, not in words."
Q. Tell us about your work, what do you want to show us?
A. As an artist, I create images that speak about the fragility of life, of us. My subjects seem easily damaged, broken or harmed, but they have a lot of strength within them.
Part of the creating process, is watching my teenage daughters grow up, to become strong self-respecting girls, in a harsh opinionated world.
Q. Why is this important to you? What made you go in this direction?
A. It grew on me. I noticed that my themes most of the time have to do with girls, fragility, beauty, living in a world where your appearance matters most, etc. I didn’t realize before that subjects like these really touch me. It is probably because of my 2 teenage daughters and their social network.
Q. What does it mean to be a mother and an artist?
A. I think it makes me a good example to them. They watch their mother doing something she is crazy and passionate about, and, because of that, taking huge steps, with faith and confidence. Whatever the world thinks of my art, I love doing it anyway. Loving myself for who I am and what I do. It took me some time but I hope I can teach them and inspire them.
And It is very handy that my youngest is always happy to be my model!
Q. What has been the most exciting moment in your art career so far?
A. My acceptance to the International Art Fair in Tokyo and Amsterdam this year blew me away, being selected to show my work in the street of New York and in the Oculus at the World Trade Centre in New York in May 2019 is also unbelievable.
I feel like I am on my way to conquer the world!
Q. What do you want to accomplish throughout your career as an artist?
A. As the Dutch Artist Ruud van Empel said: “ I don’t want to be a good photographer, I want to be a successful photographer”.
My long term goal is to have my work exhibited in MoMA NYC!
Thank you Patricia it was a pleasure speaking to you.
Make sure you follow her progress by following her on social media
Instagram: @worldoftries
Next Who's Next? article - 25th April 2019.