Erna van Sambeeks work seems diverse, two dimensional as well as three dimensional in different materials and techniques. Still, there is a similarity: she uses fabrics as material, and/or textile-related techniques like embroidery, knitting, knotting, weaving and binding. Van Sambeeks employs these techniques to move them outside their usual context. In this way she stretches the boundaries of what is called textile, like in the work ‘Small venom’ where pins on a tailor’s dummy form a lace dress.

In these works she comments on the concept of textile as such. She interferes with the traditional feminine connotations by her purposeful choice of materials. This method links to her themes of human relations and male/female issues. An underlying principle is Van Sambeeks feeling for contrasts and her inclination to unify opposites. This can be seen in the works made of barbed wire and shards: porcelain decorated with roses, but in shards, knotted into a tapestry with iron wire. Sharp and sweet, it refers at the same time to love and to aggression, happiness and danger.

Van Sambeeks starting point is often something she found or an everyday object: shopping lists, pillows, the map of the Netherlands, floral fabrics. She works on these recognizable things or remakes them in a different material or technique. In this way she creates works that are very recognizable and at the same time bring new associations to mind. Many works seem light hearted, but have a meaningful, sometimes threatening undertone.

Annechien Verhey.