Airy Modernism Print

Cécile van Hanja, born in Corsica in 1964 and a graduate of the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam in 1993, is an artist based in Haarlem, Netherlands. Her artistic journey has been deeply influenced by her formative years spent in the South of France, later finding inspiration in the structured landscapes of the Netherlands. Van Hanja’s works epitomize the principles of ‘De Stijl’ and Modernism, notably influenced by Piet Mondrian’s straight lines and the movement’s pursuit of harmony and unity. Her fascination with the ideals of hope and prosperity stemming from these 20th-century movements is evident in her paintings, which often depict modern architectural compositions characterized by rhythmic patterns of verticals and horizontals. Emphasizing intangible aspects by creating open spaces, her paintings feature transparent walls and floors, leading to an interplay of reflections and vanishing points. The deliberate use of thin layers of acrylic and oil paint adds depth and luminosity to her works, allowing underlying colors to shine through and preventing the architectural compositions from becoming static. Cécile van Hanja’s art is renowned for its multi-colored labyrinth of spaces, creating an illusion of depth and complexity within a structured framework of lines and reflections. Her compositions invite viewers to explore the blend between rational and intuitive thinking, offering a unique perspective on modern architectural landscapes through her layered and transparent artistic approach. Her works are displayed in various private collections globally and represented by prominent galleries such as the Fremin Gallery in New York and Saatchi Art’s Samsung Architecture collection. Additionally, Cécile also accepts commissions. If you reside in a modern home and wish to commission a painting, you can submit a request through the Saatchi team, who will facilitate communication with the artist.