Sabine Woudenberg

Sabine Woudenberg, born in Ermelo on April 26, 1997, grew up on a horse farm in the open nature of the Netherlands. Her childhood surroundings significantly influenced her artistic process. After high school, she pursued a minor in photography, followed by a bachelor’s degree in fine art photography at WDKA. Her studies allowed her to explore her connection with nature and combine various media with photography. During an exchange program at K-arts in Seoul, Woudenberg expanded her artistic language through glassblowing, 3D work, and sculptures. Influenced by the Korean art movement Dansaekhwa and traditional Korean painting, her work took on a more meditative quality. Collaborating with other artists and designers, she broadened her artistic vision by photographing performances and fashion collections.

For Best of Graduates 2024, Sabine presents Grimoire, a project exploring the connection between the physical and spiritual worlds through the lens of witchcraft. Her work integrates photography, painting, sculpture, and performance, often in monochromatic tones. She addresses feminist and psychological themes, using her own body as a means of expression to create symbolic and metaphorical scenes. These scenes engage with concepts of the immortal and the invisible, fostering a dialogue with the viewer about the experience of being.

Grimoire features a series of self-portraits where she channels the inner strength and wisdom associated with witchcraft. These portraits act as ritualistic moments of meditative connection between her physical form and her inner world. By embodying the archetype of the witch, she explores themes of empowerment, resilience, and the integration of body and mind, presenting an alternative to societal norms that often diminish the feminine experience. Each piece symbolizes the growth of the spirit within the framework of witchcraft, inviting viewers to engage in introspection and transformation.