Gevouwen vorm 1986

Maria van Elk made this folded form from paper, and it invites a kind of quiet contemplation on shape and surface. The process here seems so simple, almost like a child’s game of cut and paste, yet there’s a sophistication in the choice of materials. The dark grey form in the center, it's not quite a house, not quite a geometric abstraction, but something in between. Notice how the texture of the grey paper contrasts with the almost translucent quality of the background. Look closely, and you can see the delicate fibers, the slight imperfections. The folded lines of the background create a subtle grid, a structure that both supports and contains the central shape. This work reminds me a little of Agnes Martin. Both artists share a commitment to simplicity and a belief in the power of subtle variations to evoke profound emotions. Ultimately, van Elk's piece is an invitation to slow down, to look closely, and to find beauty in the everyday.