Dorien Plaat - Barnuil - Sold

Year: 2023

Technique: Acrylic paint on canvas
Edition: Unique
Signature: Hand-signed on the front and back of the work.
Dimensions of work: 40 x 30 cm
Frame dimensions: 44 x 34 cm. This is a new black wooden frame. The frame is 1 cm wide and 3.5 cm high.

A unique painting by Dorien Plaat. The expression on the face of the person expresses how they feel.

Dorien Plaat
I was born in 1960 in Kumasi, Ghana, Africa. Because of my father's work, we lived in several countries. Art was definitely a passion in our family. Wherever we lived, my parents always took us to sights, movies, and museums. My father was a prolific photographer and a beautiful drawer. When we lived in Sri Lanka, drawing was a major focus at school. I still remember my mother once showing me a Magritte painting (The Empire of Lights). I was so impressed that I suddenly saw things differently and began to understand that art can do that to you.

I didn't pursue art. I wanted to do something social and wasn't ready for a creative program. That came later. I'm self-taught. In my personal development, I did receive help from two artists. This helped me find my own style. I'm always trying new things; I enjoy it and it's useful. Delving deeper gives me even more satisfaction. The artists I worked with back then told me that it takes an average of ten years for someone to find their own style. And that was true. After almost ten years, my artistic voice became clear.

Artists who inspire me include Rustin, Soutine, Giacometti, Egon Schiele, Francis Bacon, Cornelis Doolaard, and Pyke Koch. I pay attention to the expression in the eyes, feel and discover the torment, which sometimes results in a struggle within the work. I find the feeling of "not belonging" and "the distance" intriguing elements.
I love watching people on the street, and I see my own struggles in them. That inspiration creeps into me and gets under my skin. This is a process without words.
I've had numerous solo exhibitions at venues including Jaski Art Gallery, Nasty Alice in Eindhoven, Galerie Den Haag, Galerie De Queeste in Abele Watou (Belgium), Pulchri in The Hague, and the Jonkergouw Gallery. I found participating in the exhibition BROOS at Bergkerk Deventer particularly special. This was a group exhibition featuring six nationally renowned female artists, including Lotta Blokker, Francien Krieg, Eline Peek, and Lita Cabellut.

Exhibitions 2023:

-Pulchri The Hague Autumn Salon

-AAF Amsterdam in collaboration with Catawiki

-Gallery DNA: Oct. 26 until November 18 2023

-Rainbow week at the Slagmaat Woerde gallery: until November 4, 2023

-Great guys, Kruisberg gallery Doetinchem: June 10 to July 30

- Slagmaat Gallery, Woerden: May 26 to July 1, 2023
- Animal Farm Art Zaanstad: 22/4 to 11/6 Zaandam

- Pulchri: Spring Salon: April 1st to 30th


Dorien Plaat at Stars on Canvas
On Saturday, November 19, 2022, Gorssel-based painter Dorien Plaat appeared on the Omroep Max TV program "Stars on Canvas." Along with two other painters, she created a portrait of actress Monic Hendrickx.
Dorien Plaat, next to her Özcan Akyol, second from the left Monic Hendrickx, and the two other artists who participated in the programme.

In "Stars on Canvas," Özcan (Eus) Akyol talks with a famous Dutch person while they are being portrayed by three artists. Afterward, the person portrayed chooses one painting, and the two remaining paintings are auctioned off for charity.

Challenge
When Dorien Plaat was asked if she wanted to participate in the program, she was immediately enthusiastic. "I always enjoy Stars on Canvas and I felt honored to be involved," Dorien said. This wasn't entirely self-evident, as realistic portraiture isn't her specialty. Dorien's relatable and transparent work often depicts people or animals in a moving or vulnerable way, which can fascinate but also unsettle the viewer. Not something most celebrities would immediately choose. "But you have to challenge yourself," Dorien said. "Creating a beautiful portrait without losing my own style. I went for it."
Monic Hendrickx
As is customary in the program, the artists don't know in advance who they'll be painting. When Monic Hendrickx appeared, Dorien didn't immediately recognize her, but luckily a fellow painter did. Monic is an actress and four-time Golden Calf winner. She appeared in films such as The Polish Bride (1998), Nynke (2001), and The South (2004), and in the television series Penoza (2010–2017). Dorien: "It was a special challenge for me to capture this beautiful woman on canvas with my own style, but I was happy with the result."
In the end, Monic didn't choose Dorien's painting. The Dorien painting was sold for charity by broadcaster Max.