Joanna Higgs

September '69
Haarlem, Netherlands

I work purely from the subconscious; 'pre-conceiving' it in the form of making sketches or thinking about what I'm going to paint before creating the actual work itself doesnt work for me. I just start randomly flinging paint onto the surface, layer over layer whilst turning it around, until some form emerges. Only when it feels like a good image can I start working on the form, the colours and background.Some of my works can be put together as series of images that are related to each other but its not a conscious decision to make them so;even I myself see the connection only after I view them together.
My work is figurative and has an unsettling effect on most people who look at it. I'm not aiming to create something that is necessarily pleasing to the eye, on the contrary: I want the viewer to look at it and feel slightly uneasy, but then again at the same time I'd like them to think: " WHY do I feel uneasy?" as it is something hidden under the surface that makes for the disturbed feeling and not something apparent that can be pointed out immediately when looking at it. Most of all I dont want to talk about the work too much, but let the image do the talking; as that is the reas...

Education

1989 - 1993 : Academy of Fine Arts and Arts History, Amsterdam.
( BA Hons in Teaching, first degree )

Memberships

1994 - 1998 : Member of Artists of De Vishal , Haarlem.
1995 - 1998 : Member of Artists of KZOD , Haarlem.

Exhibitions

1995 : Brandweer Kazerne Haarlem.
( Duo exhibition )
Belastingkantoor Zaandam
( Solo exhibition in the Tax Offices Building in Zaandam )
1996 : De Refter, Town Hall. Haarlem
( Exhibition for Kunstlijn Haarlem )
De Vishal, Haarlem.
( Exhibition with selected works by various artists )
1997 : De Waag, Haarlem.
( Solo exhibition )
De Vleeshal, Haarlem
( By members of KZOD.)
Vide Cultura, Haarlem.
( Selected to exhibit work during an Arts /Musical Event )
1998 : De Vishal, Haarlem
(...