ARTIST STATEMENT
Nature does not distinguish one species from the next. It only celebrates the beauty of shape, color and texture. Its infinite palette is carefully blended to orchestrate combinations that are simultaneously simple, clean and perfect.

Nature’s celebration stands in stark contrast to that of mankind. My work comments on the lack of tolerance and acceptance of our differences. Like nature we share an infinite range of shape, sizes and colors, however, we fail to accept and celebrate this diversity.

My work has metaphorically addressed this contrast through an awareness of the issues of subjugation and overlays of meaning. The process of uncovering these overlays led to the creation of the “Veil” and “Self-portrait” series and recently a series on isolation and the elements in which we live. My work is, in part, a reflection of my own journey towards self, through the veils of social adversity.

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
In 1996 Ms. Vander Meijden settled in Charleston, South Carolina where she found the Low country and the history of the city reminiscent of Europe. Born in New Jersey, she spent her formative years living in The Netherlands and the United States. She received a formal education in classical painting, drawing and printmaking at the National Academy of Design (NAD), New York, 1985-1988. Prior to NAD she studied Graphic Arts at the School of Visual Arts, New York. Early in Vander Meijden’s career she established herself as a plein air painter and a printmaker.

On behalf of the Art in Embassies Program, Ms vander Meijden recently lectured to the University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland Academy of the Arts, Reykjavik, The Akureyri School of Visual Arts and The University of Akureyri, in Iceland. She has lectured to the The South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities South Carolina. She has served on the boards of Print Studio South, Charleston, SC, and the Printmaking Council of New Jersey. and She participated as a Master Printer in the “Monothon, 99,” at The College of Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM and taught monotype workshops at the Gibbes Museum School in Charleston, SC. She continues to teach printmaking workshops in gravure and monotypes.

During the last twenty-five years, her prints and paintings have been featured in shows at: