Bobbi Essers

Bobbi Essers

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. 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. In which long nights are a must and sleep unimportant. Bobbi Essers portrays her cherished friendships in large paintings.

Tip of my tongue, 2022 | Oil on canvas | 190 x 155 cm

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Essers knew herself to be queer at a young age and had been very open about it since high school. Queer positive and feminist messages have always been part of her language and now working with overlapping images on big canvasses, 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.

Just this year (2022), Essers won the Buning Brongers prize for painting while graduating and she also will participate in a show in Museum More starting oktober 2022 that will be open till march 2023.

Confession, 2022 | Oil on canvas | 75 x 55 cm

Bobbi Essers

Available

Knee, 2022 | Oil on canvas | 135 x 175 cm

Bobbi Essers

Available

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 is proud of the strong and intimate connections she and her friends have; the depicted moments are not posed but sincere and pure. She wants to show her amazing friends off. But it’s not just them, it is them in the life they live, in a perfect daydream.