'Homespun Mythologies and Magical Imaginings'
In the ephemeral realm between dream and reality, Forgotten Spirits drift through time in a mystical landscape under a Blue Moon.
Wolf Witches roam there at dusk whilst the Moth Faeries conjure dreams for us to dream.
Pantovola brings these beings to live through her hand stitched dolls, sculptures, miniature theatres and paintings.
Using mixed media including antique textiles, clay and paper-mâché,
small worlds are created in which we are allowed to dream once more of an enchanted, private place.
Each creation a relic of a memory, a fragment of an unseen world, shared with those seeking magic of an otherworldly charm.
With her mystical art Pantovola explores the deeper, often transformative symbolism of the old folk- and fairytales,
createing her own mythical universe and legends, spinning and stitching the age old tapestry of storytelling.
"Since early childhood I have loved the old fairytale books and its intricate illustrations telling mystically dark tales of witches and sorcery, enchanted forests and animals speaking in riddles.
Stories in which struggle and strive must be overcome often leading to a transformation of the protagonist.
With my art I am building on these same themes and elements, creating a universe with mysterious creatures and landscapes,
to be enchanted by but also to bring themes and questions to the surface in a way that would perhaps shift our perspective a little bit and reconnect us to the age old stories and symbols that are deeply and uniquely human.
To create my dolls and sculptures I use materials and techniques that have long been regarded as purely women's crafts and therefore not celebrated as 'consequential' or 'important' ;
textiles, embroidery, needlework and handmade lace, the soft delicateness of these materials is exactly what attracts me to it, it is unapologetically feminine and ethereal, as is my art.
Many of my pieces hold small worlds within; a butterfly or beetle may be hidden in the belly of a doll, or a miniature theatre appears from behind the drapes of an elaborate dress.
They tell tales which seem to have emerged from old world realms and mysterious places, but the stories and themes are timeless, they are as much contemporary as they are ancient.
Many moons ago I graduated in Fine Arts, ArtEZ University of the Arts in Arnhem, Netherlands.
Since then I have worked with painting, illustration and printmaking, stop motion puppet-animation-film and theatre.
My Art Dolls, Textile Art and mixed media Sculptures are held in private collections and exhibits worldwide.
Would you like to purchase art, then please subscribe to my Blue Moon News Letter
You will then receive previews of new works and their release dates
Small handmade fabric figurines are made under the name Pantovola Petit
These are released in small collections every so often, and have their own dedicated page where you can follow and adopt them.
On some occasions I create commissioned pieces.
Feel free to contact me if you have interest in this via the contact form
