Nienke Hartog (Groningen 1976)

As soon as I start drawing, I whisper to the canvas: ‘Come on, tell me.’
I have no preconceived plan; I feel my way across the surface.
I draw, listen, take in, react, and look. Or don’t look at all.
It is very physical. I work with sighs, scraping and breathing. My own hand makes movements that often precede conscious awareness.
The charcoal leaves traces of my search. They form narrative lines of thoughts and memories that remain present in the background.
Here, I can get lost, search and encounter: a body, hands, a movement. I stroke the curve of a muscle with chalk and see a clear face.

The most exhilarating feeling comes when ambiguity emerges. When my gaze can flip, click-clack, and back again. When I can take different turns in what I see. What do you see?

The story gradually takes shape. At a certain point, it whispers back: "This is how it should be; this is how it’s meant to be."