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Memorial objects offer the opportunity to cherish what is dear to us in a personal object. Ancient crafts are recreated using modern techniques. This creates a tension between erosion by time and innovation, between what remains and what disappears.
Erosion of time
From the desire not to forget what disappears, I process memories into objects. In this project, I started from the Taxiarchis Micheal cemetery in Rhodes.
A place full of color, detail, and symbolism. What particularly struck me was how much attention the people from the village gave to the artificial flowers in the cemetery. Unfortunately, in the meantime the municipality has chosen to clear the cemetery. I quickly connected this fact to the clearing of my mother's grave a year ago. That's why I wanted to create objects with the same attention as the villagers gave. In doing so, incorporate photos and crochet patterns. Layer by layer, I engrave the work and fill it with plaster, like an erosion of time.
The works are fuelled by personal stories and emotions, but also by symbolism, orphaned materials and religious references. Memories take on a three-dimensional form, so that grief and mourning do not have to remain hidden but can be visible and tangible.
About Mattie van Bergen
By telling my own personal story, I marvel at making the viewer think about their own personal story that should not be forgotten.I strive to create space for emotions. My artwork gives the opportunity for processing.
When I create, I like to stay away from the rush. My art takes a lot of time to make, this is reflected
