.jpg)
Anika Hochstenbach (2000) lives and works in Dordrecht and makes figurative paintings and drawings. She graduated at St. Joost academy in 2021. Besides working in her studio, Anika feels the urge to reach beyond her atelier, connect with people, and engage further within the creative world. As a result, she is a board member at Pictura, gallery assistant at Tinimini Room, and also curates and organizes events.
Although our body serves as a vessel for who we are, our relationship with it goes beyond that. It’s not just skin we wrap ourselves in; it determines how we feel, our experiences in the world, and our sense of self. Anika explores the role of the body in everyday life and how it varies from one individual to another. She aims to create images that convey different experiences, like alienation or connection. For instance, is inspired by small moments where you observe your own body, a hand holds a plant or feel limbs curl around each other while hugging.
While creating, she to capture intricate details of the human form. Caressing the skin on the canvas allows her to delve deeper into the subject and express appreciation for the person depicted. This allows her to feel at home in her own body or with the people around her. She enjoys giving viewers of her work the opportunity to get closer and study another person's body without being looked back at; to be curious about the other person.