Silke Bonde, an artist who sculpts organic worlds out of paper and watercolour
Contemporary artist Silke Bonde was born in Denmark in 1990. She has made a name for herself in the art world with her captivating artworks and probing of the relationship humans have with nature. Today, ten years after she began her career in art, she continues to fascinate with her unique approach which attempts to make sense of the modern paradox of humans’ yearning for nature while lacking any close connection with it. Her works reflect the calming presence that the natural world imbues in everything.
“What I want to do is express fragile, sensitive nature in my works. I treat the sheet of paper with care and I share the complexity that can be created with something that we define as simple.”
Her love of paper, and watercolour paper in particular, has been a constant since her mother introduced her to watercolours as a child. From her earliest childhood, Silke showed all the signs of a boundless creativity. She would often have different creative projects on the go, in her room or in the garden. For as long as she can remember, she has always had a passion for creating things with her hands and the patience to undertake very detailed work. Her love of nature and simple shapes is reflected in her distinctive style, where she combines clean, aesthetic lines with an underlying desire to probe the complexity of our natural world.
After graduating in entrepreneurial design and brand design, Silke Bonde began her career in illustration and graphic design. When she moved to Copenhagen, she concentrated on designing objects before starting a blog to share her creations. This blog was a way of getting her work noticed, and she received positive feedback that encouraged her to explore the field of illustration further. After 2 years of blogging, she set up her own website at the same time as she created her first collection, “Into the Woods”, which marked a significant step in her artistic journey, crystallising her deep connection with nature.
© Silke Bonde – Watercolour and folded paper, ARCHES® Aquarelle rough paper
© Silke Bonde – Watercolour and folded paper, ARCHES® Aquarelle rough paper
Silke’s work often combines watercolours and her own paper cutting and folding techniques to create lively, organic scenes. Using these techniques she transforms sheets of ARCHES® Aquarelle 100% cotton paper into dynamic, textured artworks that celebrate the beauty of nature. She will often start with a flat sheet of paper seen as a metaphor for nature in its entirety and, by a meticulous process of cutting, folding and turning, she gradually reveals, section by section, a hidden organic realm. Silke sculpts a new world in all its minute detail.
“I always use sheets of ARCHES® Aquarelle rough paper, either 356 gsm or 640 gsm depending on the size. I like it when the structure of the paper can be seen and felt, so it becomes a tactile experience.”
© Silke Bonde – Watercolour and folded paper, ARCHES® Aquarelle rough paper
© Silke Bonde – Watercolour and folded paper, ARCHES® Aquarelle rough paper
Silke Bonde’s work can be seen in several prestigious galleries in Copenhagen, Berlin and Frankfurt. Each piece bears witness to her commitment to capturing our in-built desire for nature and the tranquillity it brings. Her pared-down aesthetic combines a naïve, childlike vision of life, whilst urging the viewer to slow down and appreciate the small details of life that surround us.
Silke Bonde embodies a powerful artistic voice which reminds us of the importance of reconnecting with nature. Through her works, she is inviting her audience to contemplate not only the outer beauty of natural landscapes, but also the inner peace they can bring.
