About
Born in 1970 into a family of architects and interior designers, Annegien de Bruijn developed a sharp eye for structure and detail. She learned to see the world with a deep appreciation for its contours and design.
Her curiosity about people and their emotions initially led her to study psychology at the University of Amsterdam. Yet, the pull of creation remained undeniable. She pursued various art programs and courses, including the Haarlem-Leiden Art Academy, Figura (the Dutch Academy of Figurative Sculpture), and ultimately, Spatial Design and Sculpture at Crejat in Alkmaar.
In her work, Annegien weaves her fascination with human behavior and emotions into the themes that inspire her—news events, stories that evoke wonder, or issues that resonate deeply. Each sculpture tells its own story, with carefully chosen styles and techniques that bring out its intended message and emotion.
“Creating is my passion,” Annegien says. “Figurative sculpture and conceptual art are my driving forces. My work centers on themes like human behavior, emotions, and contemporary issues. Through my sculptures, I aim to make certain stories visible, to inspire thought, and to approach social topics with humor and a fresh perspective.”
Her artistic journey is one of constant discovery—exploring new materials, techniques, and styles fuels her creativity. She loves the challenge of variety.
Through her sculptures, Annegien unveils the hidden layers of everyday life, inviting us to rediscover the world—and ourselves—from a fresh perspective.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
More Background Information
With my work I want to make certain stories visible. I try to approach life’s challenges with humor and a different point of view and make people aware of social issues.
Project “Connected”
I have been fascinated by people’s behavioral changes since the rise of the mobile phone and the internet. The internet offers an incredible number of possibilities to make or maintain connections / contacts with someone and to look for information.
On the one hand the reach through the internet is endless, on the other hand those contacts are often very superficial. And how “real” are those contacts, how “real” are the lives of people on their social media, how “real” is the news that is being spread?
Also the distraction that the telephone gives during “real” contacts are not really social. How often do you see people constantly looking on their phones during a diner and hardly have a “real” conversation, visitors to museums are more concerned with the selfies, than pay “real” attention to the art, children prefer to play a game on an Ipad then with each other?
In the media you read more and more about the stress that internet and the smartphone are bringing. People are constantly accessible, the flow of information continues, brains get no peace of mind…
Project “Being There”
“For my father who is always there”
“For my mother who is present, but is not there
The “Being There” project is a series of sculptures that I made after my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I made a number of sculptures as a result of the initial phase of “becoming confused”. Then the admission to the care home and about ‘connecting’ with someone with Alzheimer’s, giving a hug, being connected by just “Being there”.