I never promised you a rosegarden - Elleke Frijters

When approaching a work by Elleke Frijters, there are a few things that immediately catch your attention. Her works appear somewhat familiar, yet there is something unsettling about them. Are they devices? Can they suddenly switch on, or worse, are they watching you? One thing is certain: they certainly invite you to come closer.

The sensation of being watched is a recurring theme in Frijters' artistic practice. Her artworks can be described as hybrids between organic shapes and the devices that have become a part of our daily lives in the past few decades.

Frijters finds inspiration for her sculptures in urban and agricultural landscapes. While a romantic might study birds or a tropical beach, Frijters spots surveillance cameras, satellite dishes, and ironically placed chimneys as she explores her surroundings. In a way, Frijters confronts us with forms that surround us in our bustling urban environment. We accept these shapes because they serve their intended function on the streets, even though they often seem oddly out of place.

In the exhibition "I didn't promise you a rose garden," Frijters presents a miniature version of a solo exhibition. Typically, Frijters enjoys working in relation to human proportions, so working on such a small scale is a new endeavor for her. Presenting monumental architectural works is no big challenge in this model.

The miniature exhibition opens up possibilities and provides a clear overview of the dialogue between existing sculptures and potential future sculptures yet to be created. By shrinking the exhibition, the tables have turned, and we, as "Big Brother," observe the works in their confined spaces.

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Text by Isabel Fredeus, October 2020.

Video by Winnie Claessens