Born in 1989, and raised on the Island of Texel – I am a Dutch artist, poet, and art teacher, now living and working already for many years in the countryside of southern Sweden. My studies in fine arts education and creative writing took place in Amsterdam, and over the past five years I have also immersed myself in the study and practice of shamanism. This path has deepened both my art and poetry, weaving ritual and meaning into the work. Themes of longing and belonging guide much of my exploration, as well as creating space for the unknown and tracing the shifting borderlands between language and image. A single repeated line often carries me through the process, layered into the work like a prayer to the earth—sometimes revealed, sometimes concealed.
Alongside a solitary art practice, there is a deep joy in guiding others to trust and develop their own creativity. At Villa Fyra, the old house where I live, a spacious studio has become a place for sharing—offering courses for all ages, where creativity and inspiration can unfold together.
Mare Hilstra Artist, Poet, Listener 