From her garden studio in central Amsterdam, my Omajetje has been creating for over 40 years.
She originally worked with textiles, and has since expanded her range of media to include both traditional materials (such as clay, wax and plaster of paris) and more experimental ones (like chicken wire, bamboo and resin).
Omajetje graduated from the Ontario College of Art in 1987, and has since lived in Toronto and Houston before returning home to Amsterdam.
Throughout her travels she has continued to create, constantly turning her artist’s eye on the world around her. As such her subject matter is varied; including the human form, literary inspiration, and natural features.
She is always looking to explore her own artistic identity, constantly aiming to develop new techniques to match and challenge her creative vision.
Lisette
Omajetje or Jet for short, has always been an artist. In everything she does, care and attention is given so that what she makes and puts into the world, whether it is the morning cup of coffee or one in a short series of delicate sculptures. She is always making or producing. This practice is rooted in Jet’s many adaptations to new experiences that she and her family were faced with. For Jet, it was uncommon to have access to the perfect studio, or the best products. It was far more common that she would find and make do. As a result, Jet creates with the materials she has, regardless of situation or availability.
Now, after years of adapting, she has a keen understanding and passion for various materials - their structural properties as well as aesthetic. The material that Jet has perhaps the most experience with is silken fabric of various weights - the result of a long-lasting silkscreening and silk painting practice. Since her interest in fabrics, she has delved into chickenwire, bamboo, elastic threading, paper and wood, bronze, wax, and perhaps her most prolific medium - clay.
The reason for Jet’s passion for clay is not so different from near all other sculptors - it is malleable, can hold forms of emotion and action, and it is an essential material for many aspects of sculptural art. What makes Jet’s passion for clay so very different is her familiarity with materials previously found and used - specifically her time with fabric. Jet’s attention to detail as well as her deep understanding of fabrics has produced a spectacular skill in creating expressive forms in clay.
Omajetje’s work has a clear focus in the expression of motion, a passive history spoken in the resting forms and features that rest on a body, in its skin, and for those forms which are nonhuman, the demeanour of their coat. Regardless of whether a piece is sculpted or constructed, with clay or any other material, a dedication to precision and passion is present.
The faces in Jet’s garden and those she mounts on the walls or shelves of her studio are perfect examples. Upon a first glance, a clear story pours out. What we see is different every time, but it is evocative and has a clear and unique stance. A journey through Jet’s work, through her garden, is eclectic, and it is an experience that will stay with you.
Saunder
Omajetje is always open to try a new artistic style or medium and it shows in the playful nature of her art.
She not only creates true art pieces such as her mourners, divers or her chessboard, she also finds unique ways to integrate her art into daily life.
If you visit her studio garden you will find that her pieces are beautifully displayed nestled among the flowers. She has also created numerous silk screen designs for anything from silk scarves to the 100+ napkins she designed for her 40th wedding anniversary.
These run-of-the-mill items with artistic flair are still used daily and they are cherished. She has always shared her love of art with her grandchildren as well.
I grew up visiting my Opa and Oma and always learning new things like how to paint silk scarves and create the silk screen designs or sewing my graduation dress. She always encourages us to show our artistic sides however that comes out.
Now Omajetje can showcase to everyone else her art and the artistic process behind it. Enjoy!
Cecile