Ellen Nauwynck - Modern Artist
I make mindmaps. Places to wander around in. My art is infused with a mix of quantum physics, nature, the universe - just life itself".
My name is Ellen Nauwynck. I was born on the 30th of October, 1981, and live in Belgium.
From 2001 till 2012 I lived in Brussels, were I studied and worked as a graphic designer.
In 2012 I returned to my hometown Wijnendale (Torhout) with my family.
In 2013 I experienced my first serious episode of psychosis. In the following years four more episodes followed.
Being creative has always been my first love but after my first episode I decided something major had to change in my live. I started to study and become a nurse because, besides being creative, helping people always felt like a second nature.
I worked as a nurse since march 2017, but continued to struggle with my mental disorder. Since march 2018 I am at home because of this. I make my artwork at home as a therapy to clear my mind.
My art represents the way I think about life, the world, the universe. Since I experienced my episodes of psychosis I am much more in touch with my self in a spiritual way.
After years of tremendous fear, anger and shame,
I can finally accept myself and my psychological vulnerability. Now I want to use my work of art to open a conversation about mental disorders
to help break the catastrophic effects of mental health stigma.
Exhibitions
Part of the sales-profits will be invested in a project where people, going through an intens crisis, can be guided along this experience without (or with a minimal amount of) medication.
A place where this experience is not merely seen as only a symptom of a disease to get rid of.
The crisis is a wave of unprocessed emotions floating to the surface of the mind,
not to be repressed by anti-psychotics, but to be dealt with in a humane way.
Solo
2019
18 november - 15 december
work and finissage - raam103 - Gent
2019
18 - 20 oktober
Buren Bij Kunstenaars - Ichtegem
Group
2020
11 - 12 & 25 - 26 januari
groupexpo - raam103 - Gent
2019
29 november - 29 december
Kunst in 't kasteel - kasteel Sterckshof - Deurne
2019
18 - 20 & 26 -27 oktober
CAS - Contemporary Art Space - Oostende
2019
10 - 13 oktober
ACAF - accesible art fair - Bozar Brussels