M HKA Ensembles

Mixed Media, 200 x 280 cm.

Collection: Collection M HKA, Antwerp / Collection Flemish Community (Inv. no. BK007956).

In this self-portrait the artist embraces her imagined alter ego. It is an early work by Liliane Vertessen, from the period in which she experiments with neon’s and skimpy clothing to portray her internal struggle with identity and intimacy. The image exudes a desire for freedom and personal development, but also sin and rebellion.

"I want to be free to do what I want, regardless of the opinions and taste of the spectators. In  my former work, when I was very young, I'd be very attractive on my photographs and people often thought that I was narcissistic, because I took pictures of myself. But I did not so much want to show off myself, neither do I feel like a model. Much to the contrary, I'd like to have a few centimetres extra and a few kilos less. I especially wanted to let my inner self take precedence over my appearance. In this sense, there can be no question of a pose, because I want to show what I feel inside. Moreover, I never did an apprenticeship to become an artist, I already was an artist at my birth."

Hilde Van Canneyt. Interview met Liliane Vertessen, 2010.