Uma Dehaan

We first met Uma Dehaan during a group show of young artists in Stratford (Corpus Delicti, curated by Ivet Monova). The gallery was full of quality work on every wall, but Dehaan’s work stood out to us. The piece’s scale drew us in and provided a platform for the detailed abstractions to take hold

Personally what I love about Dehaan’s work is the spaces it creates. Although 2D and of varying scales, I get a great sense of perspective and depth through the spaces in between as well as the often linear mark making. Full of contrasts in harmony, light and dark, concentrated mark making and smooth planes of texture. Dehaan’s work is rich with detailing that opens up a dialogue to the viewer

How would you describe your practice?

‘My practice discusses the relationship between the self and the domestic setting through the use of architectural markings such as the continued motif of the window and the door. Hinting upon a sense of the physical and human presence. Explored throughout an abundance of absent space, a sense of unease but methodical simplicity concerns both my graphite drawings and my paintings.’

- Uma Dehaan

At our night of art and music at the Avalon Café on the 23rd of November we were lucky enough to present a diptych of Dehaan’s. Both A1 pieces were separated physically, but the piece flowed through the two naturally. I believe the choice to separate the two halves of the work gave us an insight into the motives and motifs behind her work. It felt like it made you observe closer what was happening on the surface of the work, as well acting as a sort of window in itself. As Dehaan expressed to us, the window has become a symbol in her work, and the presentation nodded to this architectural aspect

The style of Dehaan’s work is strong at this point in time, her second year on the fine art BA course at CSM. We will be staying in touch with her to see the way in which she progresses and her visual language matures even further

Above is Dehaan’s diptych hung at the Avalon Cafe.