Maayke Schuitema

Maayke Schuitema

Maayke Schuitema, born in The Hague in 1974, is a Dutch visual artist known for her bold and graphic large-scale linocut prints. With a background in both ballet and fine arts, she studied at the Royal Conservatory for ballet and later transitioned to the visual arts, completing her studies at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague. This diverse foundation has had a profound influence on her work, blending the elegance of movement from her ballet training with the visual strength of graphic arts.

Artistic Practice and Techniques

Schuitema is celebrated for her impressive large-scale linocuts, which are hand-printed on Kozo Paper—a special type of Japanese paper crafted for her in the Prefecture of Kochi. Her linocuts, characterized by their strong black-and-white contrast, draw inspiration from black-and-white photography and affiche art (poster art). This bold visual language allows her to communicate direct, powerful messages, often focusing on the female form and issues surrounding womanhood.

Her work is immediately striking, with the definite black lines in her prints making the images appear sharp and confrontational. Schuitema's art functions as both propaganda and reflection, encouraging viewers to engage with societal issues while also invoking a personal response.

Themes: Biography and Empowerment

Schuitema's oeuvre can be seen as a reflection of her personal biography, with her art touching on key aspects of her life. Her work often explores the balance between the private and public spheres, particularly as they relate to her experiences as the daughter of a bipolar mother, her own journey through motherhood, her role as an artist, and her involvement in the women's movement.

The depiction of women plays a central role in her visual storytelling. Through her art, she emphasizes body language and emotional states, portraying women in various postures and moods that evoke both empathy and strength. Her work resonates with the themes of feminine empowerment and identity, making her a notable figure in contemporary feminist art.

"She is what she makes | She Decides"

Maayke Schuitema is a fierce advocate for women's rights and has aligned herself with the She Decides movement, which champions women's bodily autonomy and empowerment. This message of self-determination and independence is interwoven into her artwork, where the women depicted are not just subjects but powerful figures demanding to be seen and heard.