Artist's statement
Andrea Emde's artistic practice fuses Japanese Wabi Sabi philosophy with traditional Sumi-E technique, creating a unique artistic style that highlights intentional imperfection and celebrates the beauty of flaws. Using aqueous pigments such as sumi-ink and watercolors, the unpredictable nature of these materials is taken advantage of to create spontaneous and beautiful imperfections on the paper. This organic process reflects the natural irregularities found in the different objects in her work, resulting in evocative and expressive art.
The minimalist approach to Andrea Emde's work focuses on essential motifs on sparse backgrounds and very little color. The Sumi-E technique, which predominantly uses black ink on white paper, captures the essence of the subjects and creates a deep void around them. This method is spontaneous and humble, and errors are not corrected, so they become integral elements of the final piece. In the Sumi-E tradition, there is no rigid classification of good or bad; Instead, the artwork reflects the story of its creation, emphasizing evolution and chance.
About the artist
Born in historic West Berlin in 1972, Andrea Emde grew up in Bremen, Germany, where her early connection with nature, nurtured by her parents, deeply influenced her artistic path. This deep connection to the natural world has been a major source of inspiration, infusing her artwork with a strong sense of environmental connection.
Andrea Emde, when she was twenty-six, sought new artistic opportunities and moved from Germany to the Netherlands. This movement marked the beginning of an intense phase of artistic growth. Immersed in the vibrant art scene of the Netherlands, Andrea has now dedicated more than 25 years to perfecting her craft. She participated in a wide range of art courses and workshops in various studios, which greatly enriched her technical skills and deepened her artistic expression.
