Bobbi Essers

Bobbi Essers was born in Enschede on January 26th of the year 2000, on the verge of a new millennium. Essers, even as a child, was mesmerized by the power of stories, especially those regarding adventure and friendships. Basing her ideas of it on the sometimes fake and exaggerated versions shown in coming-of-age stories. This also resulted in a dream of living in a big city. Having outgrown the same one she had been born and raised in, Essers left Enschede at 18 to study Fine Art at the HKU in Utrecht, where she finds the friendships she had been looking for.

Inspired by youth and queer culture, in which long nights are a must and sleep unimportant, Bobbi Essers portrays her cherished friendships in large paintings. She is mesmerized by the power of friendships and adventures portrayed in coming-of-age stories: skateboarding at night, stick-and-poking tattoos, hanging out till the sun comes up. Having found this feeling and comfort in her own life, Essers portrays her dear friends in the safe, comfortable, and spontaneous environment they share together.

Working with overlapping images, Essers shows gender and sexuality have no specific appearance. Letting two images intertwine and form a new narrative in which she challenges the perception of gender roles. Essers works with meticulous attention to textures, especially skin and textile. Small moles, shadows of veins, and the muscles that lie beneath the skin — but also clothing items — are painted with great precision.

Essers won the Buning Brongers Prize for painting while graduating, and she also will participate in a show in Museum MORE.