Danièle Knirim

The work Hide is about the girl with the animal masks who is hiding one’s true self or emotions behind a mask of anonymity or a different persona. On the surface it may seem like playful, dress up, a simple costume, but beneath the surface it could signify deeper feelings of insecurity. The mask as a barrier between the girl and the outside world, suggesting that there is more to her than meets the eye, waiting to be discovered.

Danièle Knirim is a collage artist living and working in The Hague under the name Hiervandaan; a play on words literally translated as ‘from here’ but also referring to her nickname, Daan. Danièle’s striking work features portraits of women, anonymous figures and beautifully pieced-together birds. Although instantly
recognisable, her collages of romantic scenes and melancholic figures lean toward abstract representation. Danièle makes her collages with old paper from Books. The more weathered and discoloured the better. Old books are perfect, especially the front pages, even if they might be stained by foxing, water stains, or light discolouration.

Artwork: Hide