Behind the Boxes Print

Daphne Depassé is born in the Netherlands and based in Amsterdam. Grewing up in a family of artists, she first chose a different path. Science, innovation, design and she has authored five Dutch books. Serious stuff. Alongside ongoing design and research projects, she created visual artwork. On commission. For business, government and the health sector. Or for her eyes only. In 2024, Daphne made the decision to publicly showcase her artwork. Within months, her pieces were exhibited in locations including New York, London, Rome, and Amsterdam. This gave her the confidence to continue doing what she loves most: making art. SERIOUSLY? She almost got sucked into the habits of the art world (one unique style) and taking herself too seriously. Luckily she found herself again and creates what she is driven to do. Lightheartedness and humor are always present, no matter what. STYLE | TECHNIQUE | MEDIUM Daphne utilizes a variety of techniques and methods, including digital painting, drawing, audio, video, and photography. Her work encompasses various styles. Her aim is to embody the enrichment and liberation of expressing yourself without limitations and constraints, advocating for artistic freedom, experiment, diverse expression and reflection. Each message’s meaning revealed in a unique and fitting artistic expression. Every message carries its own style. Her bold statement: No Boxes. THEMES Central to her work are themes of identity, inclusion and equality, driven by her living with multiple sclerosis. Although the subjects are serious, she also approaches them with humor or a wink. Characteristic of her work is the interplay between carefully crafted in-depth articles (created through voice) and visual expression. Throughout the creative process, her written words are transformed into visible creations, or the meaning of visually created representations is articulated through words. They exist in context: art with meaning. Through her art, Daphne aims to encourage shifts in perspective, self-reflection, and insight. Moving from an underlying deep-rooted motivation, on which she gave a Ted talk in 2013 entitled: “Unscrew the system, in a blissful way“ DIGITAL Due to the physical challenges posed by multiple sclerosis, she creates mostly digital, one handed, and uses her voice as her creative instrument. She also wrote her fifth Dutch book, BAM!, by using her voice.