Marianne Kroese

"This work is about change and metamorphosis. This theme stems from the fear of the unknown and the anxieties that accompany it. The change that the work addresses involves a sense of powerlessness; it is impossible to remain stuck in the same place; change is inevitable. The philosopher Heraclitus speaks of how change is constant. One of his most famous sayings also addresses this: "Upon those who step into the same rivers, different and ever different waters flow down." Here, he is referring to a river. The water of the river is constantly in motion and thus also changes, yet it remains a river. In this way, he explains his philosophy on why change is necessary; change is constant.

The birds visualise the uneasy feeling that change often brings. The moment of this transformation is central to this work, and the material used is primarily textile. Here, the moment of this change is captured through birds that are slowly, laboriously and painfully splitting apart. The birds each go their separate ways, each on a different path. This splitting apart is not easy and leaves a mark in the form of clear scars that the birds carry with them as they fly away. This demonstrates that change can be uncomfortable, but also that it can create new paths that were previously inaccessible."