This month...Fenneke Wolters-Sinke

for “Paper Contemplations” at the Barn.

My name is Fenneke Wolters-Sinke. Fenfolio is my artist name; Fen is how I like to be called and folio means “a sheet of any written or printed material”. Originally from The Netherlands, I'm a visual artist and maker working in mixed media, creating contemporary artists' books, book objects, papercuts and paper sculptures from my home studio in Banchory.

After my MSc in Economics, I worked as a financial planner for a couple of years and then changed my career when I emigrated here. Until 2010 I worked as a photographer, running photography classes and managing a photo library which was eventually sold. Since then I have been developing my art & design skills via various part-time and short courses at Grays School of Art in Aberdeen, Edinburgh Printmakers, Bridge House Art in Ullapool and with various bookbinders and paper engineers in Scotland and abroad.

My paper artworks are all one-off pieces and can be organic, dynamic, quiet, powerful, informative, delicate, vibrant, conceptual, experimental or sculptural.

The versatility of paper and the amount of possibilities it offers ignites a continuous flow of ideas in me to experiment with, to learn from and to push the boundaries of my creativity. Using and combining various techniques such as printmaking, digital processes, papercutting, paperfolding and bookbinding fills me with excitement.

As a keen sea kayaker and mountaineer, I get my inspiration from the textures, patterns, colours, tones and shapes in the great outdoors. When I'm out there in the elements, I feel a deep inner connection with myself and the world around me. I want to hold on to that experience by expressing this connection into a tangible piece of work and make that journey again, this time being guided purely by my intuition. My interest in architecture, design and construction also influences the way I approach a certain project. It will then be meticiously planned by doing research, making sketches and prototypes. By using different methods, processes and styles, I want to show people what you can do with such a simple yet effective material.

My prints and artists' books have been exhibited in local exhibitions such as North East Open Studios, Art Aboyne, Aberdeen Art Gallery (online) and University Aberdeen, the National Open Print Exhibition in London, the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh, various libraries in Denver and at Salmon Falls gallery in Massachusetts, USA. In 2018 I received the Visual Arts and Craftmaker Award for a non-toxic printmaking residency in Massachusetts, USA.