The Poison Tree

In her work, visual artist Natasja Kensmil deals with the recurring themes of power and the consequences of its abuse, with abundant references from mythology, religion, and history. Her particular fascination is with the hidden, mysterious, and murky sides of history. This volume presents an overview of Kensmil’s oeuvre, from 1998 to her most recent works. Her paintings and drawings delve into the question of the intrinsic monstrosity of human nature, where motifs emerge through thick layers of paint and monochromes are explored with detail and nuance. Texts by Marlene Dumas, Hendrik Folkerts, Robbert Roos, and Wieteke van Zeil offer insight into Kensmil’s subjects.

Natasja Kensmil is recipient of the prestigious Johannes Vermeer Prize in 2021.