1. Can you tell us something about yourself and your artistic background?

am internationally recognized as “The Woman of Barcode & QR Code Art”.
Born in Suriname and raised in the Netherlands, my artistic journey is rooted in observation, emotion, and human connection. After completing my studies, I settled in the city of Heerhugowaard, a village named after the Painters’ district, and all the streets were named after famous artists/painters.
My creative path continued to evolve there into the unique artistic language for which I am internationally recognized today.
Before dedicating myself fully to art, I worked at TU Delft, Philips, and spent more than thirty years in secondary education. My interaction with people from diverse cultural, social, and educational backgrounds became the foundation of a lifelong study of human behavior, identity, and social interaction.
Inspired by the barcode over the past three decades and now also the QR code, I have developed a distinctive artistic language that combines storytelling, humor, conceptual depth, and social awareness.

2. How would you describe your artistic style and the main themes in your work?

My art is called “Barcode Art”.
My artistic practice is best described as conceptual, multidisciplinary, and innovative. It moves fluidly between physical and digital realities, exploring how technology reshapes human relationships and communication.
My artistic signature originated in the barcode, whose visual simplicity conceals remarkable complexity. Around 1995, I recognized within its abstract structure a powerful metaphor for contemporary life: layered, emotional, and rich with hidden meaning. The later integration of the QR code naturally extended this visual vocabulary into the digital age.
Through my art, I capture topics such as groundbreaking developments and current themes in society, including science, AI, inclusion, climate change, history, and modern culture.
My surroundings and personal experiences also play an important role in my work. Everything that inspires or unsettles me is transformed into humorous and thought-provoking scenes.
For me, humor is an essential part of life. If my artwork brings a reaction, a smile, or a reflection of recognition to someone, then I consider my mission successful. Within this visual language, I make my lines speak louder than words!

3. What inspired your award-winning artwork, and how have your international exhibitions influenced your artistic development?

My award-winning work reflects my conviction that art is a universal language capable of transcending cultural and geographical boundaries. It is grounded in the belief that human beings are uniquely capable of making conscious choices and that every choice shapes both individual lives and society, so choose wisely.
International exhibitions have played a significant role in expanding my artistic perspective. Exposure to different cultures and audiences has reinforced the understanding that meaning is never fixed but emerges through the interaction between artwork and viewer. This intercultural dialogue has added greater conceptual depth to my practice while confirming the universal relevance of my visual language.
I am a Certified Professional Artist and a Signature Artist of the International Watercolor Society USA (IWS-USA). Throughout my career, I have received numerous international distinctions, including the WAA Woman Art Award, recognizing my unique artistic style, narrative strength, and contribution to contemporary art.
Today, I am regarded as one of the pioneers of Barcode and QR Code Art. Rather than treating these familiar symbols as functional objects, I transform them into conceptual compositions that intertwine humor, social commentary, emotion, and meticulous detail.

4. What does your ideal workspace look like, and what keeps you inspired during long working days?

My studio reflects the essence of my artistic practice: a place where traditional craftsmanship and technological innovation exist side by side and strengthen one another. Chaos also has its place there. While my home is always neat and organized, I begin every new artwork in an empty, tidy studio. As the creative process unfolds, controlled chaos takes over, often giving rise to my most humorous and thought-provoking scenes.
Sketches, research materials, digital applications, and physical media come together in an environment that encourages experimentation and exploration.
My inspiration comes from art history, architecture, nature, literature, science, technological developments, and encounters with people from different cultures and all walks of life.
Curiosity remains the driving force behind my work. Every project is an ongoing artistic investigation rather than a linear creative process, although I do use rulers in every size imaginable. Each discovery opens the door to new possibilities, allowing my visual language to evolve while remaining unmistakably my own.

5. What are you currently working on, and what would you like to explore in your future work?

I am currently expanding Barcode and QR Code Art as a mature contemporary art form in which physical experience and digital innovation become increasingly interconnected. My recent work brings together themes such as artificial intelligence, science, global warming, inclusion, and history within a visual timeline that reflects the complexities of contemporary society.
Alongside my artistic practice, I remain committed to social responsibility.
Through the proceeds of my artwork, I support underprivileged orphaned children by helping provide essential resources for safe, healthy, and caring living environments.
Looking ahead, I intend to further investigate the intersection of art, technology, and social engagement. My ambition is to create work that is not only visually compelling but also stimulates reflection, dialogue, and meaningful human connection.
I have developed my artistic signature entirely independently. I am now entering a new phase, breaking through existing forms and boundaries by allowing influences from my cultural background to merge naturally with my visual language. This new direction already fills me with enthusiasm and creative energy, as I continue to explore new possibilities within my work.
In doing so, I show that technology and human values do not stand against each other, but can work together as complementary elements in a contemporary visual language.

Published by New Road 2 Art Editorial Team