Tessel van der Putte (1994) is a Dutch artist and scholar who paints and illustrates abstracted and feminist artworks. She completed her Master degree in International Law and Human rights, at the United Nations-Mandated University for Peace. Previously she attended an honours college in Leiden, where she obtained a cum laude Bachelors degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences: Global Challenges. Currently, she lives in Geneva, where she is working for the International Committee of the Red Cross.
From a young age onwards, Tessel has been trained in fashion design, fine arts and art history - albeit most of the fine arts as an autodidact. Tessel has always been passionate about politically and socially engaged arts and intrigued by the use of creative expressions within different spiritualities. We see how colour, for example, plays a significant role in all her work, drawing back to symbolisms within the Ayurveda.
Especially on the topic of intersectional feminism, she uses painting as a tool of healing and storytelling. Her works are ultimately about introspection, aiming to reclaim and re-capture the experience and narrative of 'femininity'. Tessellated in cubist-like contrasts, light and shadow, the works carry a balance that embodies the dance of opposites: our feminine and masculine energy, and those dualities that we all carry within us.
Her works are framed and accompanied by an in-depth article explaining the work.
If you are curious to see more work or have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out below.