Dorien Plaat (1960) - Monic Hendrickx

Artist: Dorien Plaat (1974)
Title of artwork: Monic Hendrickx
Year: 2022
Technique: Acrylic paint on canvas
Edition: Unique
Signature: Hand-signed on the front of the work.
Dimensions of the work: 40 x 30 cm
Dimensions of the frame: 44 x 34 cm. This is a new black wooden floating frame.

Background painting:
On Saturday, November 19, 2022, the Gorsselse painter Dorien Plaat appeared on the TV program Stars on the Canvas by Omroep Max. Along with two other painters she was allowed to paint a portrait of actress Monic Hendrickx.
Dorien Plaat, next to Özcan Akyol, second from the left Monic Hendrickx, and the two other artists who participated in the program.

In Stars on the Canvas Özcan (Eus) Akyol talks with a well-known Dutch person while that person is being portrayed by three artists. At the end, the portrait subject chooses one painting, and the two remaining paintings are auctioned for a good cause.

Challenge
When Dorien Plaat was asked if she wanted to participate in the program, she was immediately enthusiastic. “I always enjoy Stars on the Canvas and I felt honored to take part,” Dorien said. It wasn’t completely obvious, because realistic portraiture isn’t her specialty. In Dorien’s recognizable and transparent work, people or animals are often depicted in an emotionally touching or vulnerable way, which can fascinate viewers but also make them uncomfortable. Not something most celebrities would automatically choose. “But you have to challenge yourself,” Dorien said. “Create a beautiful portrait without losing my own style. I went for it.”
Monic Hendrickx
As is customary on the program, the artists do not know in advance who they will be painting. When Monic Hendrickx appeared, Dorien didn’t recognize her at first, but fortunately a fellow painter did. Monic is an actress and a four-time Golden Calf winner. She acted in films such as The Polish Bride (1998), Nynke (2001), and Het zuiden (2004), and in the TV series Penoza (2010–2017). Dorien: “It was a special challenge for me to capture this beautiful woman in my own style on the canvas, but I was happy with the result.”
Ultimately Monic did not choose Dorien’s painting. Dorien’s painting was sold for a good cause by Omroep Max.

Dorien Plaat
I was born in 1960 in Kumasi, in Ghana, Africa. Through my father’s work, we lived in several countries. Our family certainly valued art. Wherever we lived, my parents always took us to sights, films, and museums. My father did a lot of photography and was a wonderful draftsman. When we lived in Sri Lanka there was a strong focus on drawing at school. I still vividly remember my mother showing me a painting by Magritte (The Empire of Lights). I was so impressed that I started looking at things differently and began to understand what art can do to you.

I did not pursue formal art training. I wanted to do something social and I wasn’t ready for a creative education yet. That came later. I am self-taught. In my personal development, I did receive help from two artists. This helped me find my own style. I continually try something different; I enjoy that and find it useful. Delving deeper gives me even more satisfaction. The artists I worked with at the time told me that it usually takes ten years to find one’s own style. And that was true. After nearly ten years, my artistic voice became clear.

Artists who inspire me include Rustin, Soutine, Giacometti, Egon Schiele, Francis Bacon, Cornelis Doolaard, and Pyke Koch. I pay attention to expression in the eyes, feel and explore torment; sometimes it results in a struggle within the work. The feeling of not belonging and distance are intriguing elements for me.
I enjoy watching people on the street, and I see in them my own struggles. That inspiration seeps into me and then sits under the skin. It is a wordless process.

I have already had many solo exhibitions, including at Jaski Art Gallery, Nasty Alice in Eindhoven, Galerie Den Haag, Galerie De Queeste in Abele Watou (Belgium), Pulchri in The Hague, and Jonkergouw Gallery. I particularly valued participating in the BROOS exhibition at Bergkerk Deventer. This was a group exhibition with six nationally renowned female artists, including Lotta Blokker, Francien Krieg, Eline Peek, and Lita Cabellut.

Exhibitions 2023:

- Pulchri The Hague Autumn Salon
- AAF Amsterdam in collaboration with Catawiki
- Galerie DNA: Oct 26 – Nov 18, 2023
- Rainbow Week at Galerie van Slagmaat Woerden: until November 4, 2023
- Fun guests, Kruisberg Gallery Doetinchem: June 10 – July 30
- Galerie van Slagmaat, Woerden: May 26 – July 1, 2023
- Beestenboel Art Zaanstad: Apr 22 – Jun 11, 2024 Zaandam
- Pulchri: Spring Salon: Apr 1 – 30, 2025