Lizan Freijsen

Lizan Freijsen (Rotterdam) is inspired by forms of decline in our daily environment. Making time visible and reading back in cyclical processes is a lifelong fascination. In the hectic pace of daily life, Freijsen transforms slow, organic growth processes into moments of reflection. Freijsen sees imagination, possibilities and beauty in lichens on the quay, cracks in stone walls. These moments of timeless inspiration, also referred to as “Kairos time”, are already present in the chronology of the day and are translated into a series of unique works of art.
Lizan Freijsen produces hand-tufted carpets, pastel drawings and moss wall wallpaper to provide interiors with softness and meaning. Freijsen studied at the Jan van Eyck academy, Maastricht (1989) and completed the Master Design Research at WDKA, Rotterdam (2017) with the publication “The Living Surface, an alternative biology book on stains”. (www.japsambooks.nl, design by https://www.renateboere.nl )

In addition to her creative practice, Lizan Freijsen has been a teacher at the Autonomous Department of the Willem De Kooning Academy in Rotterdam for more than twenty years.

‘How to care for our daily environment’

‘I visualize my concern for the world in which we live by means of site-specific installations with drawings, photography, ceramics, tufting works and wall hangings.’   Lizan Freijsen’s practice is about transformation of materiality. Decay, wear and growth are translated by hand tufting into unique carpets for the floor, corner and wall. The designs are based, among other things, on the rich design language of lichens and fungi, the theme of “time” is central.
‘In this time of reflection I want to argue for delay, reflection and stratification. The need for change is more urgent and stronger than ever. Where softness is most needed, my work can end up there, in care institutions, knowledge centers, laboratories and in political buildings. The carpets are the result of valuing cyclical processes and striving for recycling with biodiversity as a result. With my work I want to contribute to insight, to increase awareness, resulting in a healthier climate.’                                 
August 2023, Rotterdam