Liesbet Optendrees

Nothing is obvious for Liesbet Optendrees. Nothing is, at first sight, what it seems to be. That what we observe around us, is an inexhaustible source for questions. Questions which simply must be asked, because otherwise it is not possible for her. In all its simplicity it can concern the structure of tree cortex, or burst ground, rocks and stones, life under the water mirror. Walking along the beach, looking down at the grooves in the sand, the bells of water, observe the small holes from the little crabs: that is the visible part of her intense experience of the world, the surface, the skin of a painting. What takes place under the skin is much more complex and a reason to ask the same question over and over: is there a soul? And if so, is it possible to make it visible? Is the soul of tree cortex less complex, differently perhaps, then the soul of people? How does it come that one feels oneself, in an unexplainable manner, linked with another human? Why can burst ground call emotions? What is the reason that those bursts in dry ground can call associations with bursts in the soul? The frame of this types of questions gets form in paintings with a lot of refined layers. They are complex paintings. So powerful, not fragile, penetrated of visible elements in tones of colours which we encounter in our daily living, like earth, sand, fire, layers, structure. Recognizable colouring. But the paintings carry a secret. They are not indicated simply. They are never obvious and forces the viewer to ask themselves always the following question: is that what we see also that what it is? Doesn't the visible surface hides a much more important inner self? That is what makes the art of Liesbet Optendrees unique.