Biography

During her time at the academy, Merel’s early works stood out. While they often diverged from the official program’s assignments, these pieces distinguished her from her peers and hinted at the innovative artist she was becoming.

After two and a half years of study, Merel made a bold decision to leave the Netherlands and move to Spain. In the coastal town of Denia, she found work in a bistro to support herself, cutting ties with her family in the process. However, the demands of her new life left little room for artistic pursuits, and after two years, she returned to the Netherlands.

Back home, Merel shifted her focus once again, becoming the manager of a renowned Indonesian fine-dining restaurant. Yet, life took a dramatic turn with the passing of her father—a pivotal moment that reshaped her path.

The birth of her daughter, Coco, brought profound changes to Merel’s life. Shortly after, her marriage ended, leaving her to navigate single parenthood. When Coco was nine months old, fate intervened, and she met Herman, an insurance agent, by sheer accident.

Merel Hanja’s life has been marked by resilience, reinvention, and a deep-seated commitment to creativity. Each twist and turn in her journey has added layers to her artistic vision, making her work a reflection of the complexities and beauty of her experiences.

The Journey

Music has always been a source of inspiration for me. As a child, I would play records to help me fall asleep, allowing me to transform troubling thoughts into visions of self-imagined dance performances.

As a teenager, I brought old dresses back to life by repurposing them into doll clothing for my handmade dolls. Since I didn’t know how to sew, I glued everything together. I also visited the blacksmith to buy screws, metal pieces, and bolts, which I used to create earrings, necklaces, and belts. Additionally, I collected discarded fabrics from lighting fixture agents and transformed them into new designs.

At the art academy, I learned not only how to paint and work with various materials beyond traditional paints but also how to think outside the box.

A difficult period followed the passing of my father. My perception of family collapsed due to a series of unsettling confrontations. To process my thoughts, I began writing in a journal, attempting to find a place for unanswered questions. Soon, this evolved into painting, tearing, and pasting—transforming emotions into artwork. Some of my pieces even incorporate excerpts from my journal.

This marked the beginning of my artistic journey. However, due to life’s many challenges, it was not until 2022 that I made the definitive decision to fully dedicate myself to art.

Living with my partner, Herman, has brought me new perspectives and inspiration. My new home in Friesland, in the north of the Netherlands, offers space and tranquility. Compared to the fast-paced life of Amsterdam, Friesland is an oasis of vast landscapes and expansive lakes. Living near the dike of the Wadden Sea—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—in a small terp village is truly unique. During low tide, the seabed is exposed, allowing people to walk to the Wadden Islands.

Materials & Techniques

Music remains a key inspiration, from hard rock to opera. Emotions and feelings that I cannot express in words find their way onto paper and canvas. Alongside nature, particularly the sea, world events also influence my work. I incorporate shells, stones, branches, leaves, and even packaging materials to create new pieces.

I work on paper, cardboard, and linen. Larger works, exceeding one square meter, are created on linen. Being both left- and right-handed, I have the ability to paint with two brushes or palette knives simultaneously.

Looking Ahead

My current work continuously leads me to explore new materials and techniques. I am also curious about other visual expressions, such as photography—not only to generate reference material for my paintings but also to create independent photographic works.

A portion of the proceeds from my sold artworks is donated to a fund dedicated to preventing the extinction of white rhinos. This initiative supports the conservation of one of the world’s largest and oldest land animals, which are brutally slaughtered for their horns, ground into powder for so-called aphrodisiac purposes.

My partner handles acquisitions for commissions, catering to private collectors, high-end businesses, and government institutions. Additionally, he manages all business-related activities surrounding my art.