Yvonne Mak

Yvonne Mak is a Dutch artist based in Amsterdam whose practice focuses on perception, material, and the subtle transformation of familiar forms. A graduate of ArtEZ University of the Arts in Arnhem, her work operates at the intersection of sculpture, textile, and installation, exploring how visual experience is shaped by illusion, texture, and spatial context.

Central to Mak’s practice is an interest in gradual and often imperceptible change. Her works investigate how processes such as aging, fading, and transformation influence both material and perception. Through careful manipulation of surface and image, she creates objects and installations that appear altered by time, while in reality remaining deliberately constructed.

This approach is evident in her ongoing Imprint series, which includes textile works, wallpapers, and rugs. These pieces evoke familiar interior elements—such as curtains or sun-exposed surfaces—yet the signs of wear and discoloration are entirely fabricated. By recreating the visual effects of time, Mak transforms decay into a controlled aesthetic, inviting reflection on processes that unfold slowly and often go unnoticed.

Her work also engages with the psychological and spatial impact of visual cues. Through the use of trompe-l’oeil techniques, her installations can alter the perception of space, creating a sense of openness or light where none physically exists. These subtle interventions influence how environments are experienced, emphasizing the relationship between visual suggestion and emotional response.

Underlying her practice is a broader reflection on contemporary conditions.

Themes such as environmental change and shifting social structures are approached indirectly, embedded within material transformations and visual illusions. Rather than presenting explicit narratives, Mak allows these concerns to emerge through atmosphere and perception.

Her work is characterized by restraint and precision, where small shifts in surface and structure produce a lasting impact. Through this controlled use of illusion and material, Mak creates installations that invite close attention, revealing how perception can be shaped, disrupted, and redefined.

Education

• ArtEZ University of the Arts, Arnhem (2015)

Collections

• Centraal Museum, Utrecht