1 March - 1 May 2026
Voices of Women
Bernadette Sterk
Babette Sterk in Voices of Women
Within Voices of Women, the work of Bernadette Sterk speaks from a deeply introspective and embodied position. Her paintings do not aim to represent external likeness, but function as mirrors of inner experience. Each portrait becomes an act of self-revelation — a visual articulation of emotional awareness, vulnerability and inner transformation.
Bernadette approaches painting as a process of becoming rather than representation. The layered surfaces of her works echo the complexity of inner life: emotions unfold, recede and reappear, shaped by time, reflection and confrontation. Texture, colour and gesture are not decorative elements, but carriers of meaning — traces of lived experience embedded within the materiality of paint.
Her use of background colours that subtly resurface within the image reinforces this sense of continuity beneath the surface. What appears finished remains open; what seems hidden continues to speak. In this way, Bernadette’s work aligns closely with the core of Voices of Women: the articulation of inner narratives that emerge from lived, embodied perspectives.
Rather than presenting fixed identities, her paintings offer space for resonance. They invite viewers to encounter not only the artist’s inner world, but also their own. Through this shared vulnerability, Sterk’s work contributes a quiet yet powerful voice to the exhibition — one that affirms self-knowledge, authenticity and the courage to be seen.
About Bernadette Sterk
Painting has brought profound change to my life. I create in order to create myself. Through painting, I come closer to who I truly am. Since I began this artistic journey, my awareness of my deepest emotions — including inner conflicts and blockages — has steadily grown. Each painting is an act of exposure: a conscious revealing of myself, translated into image and form.
This process is beautiful, but often also confronting and intense. Yet it is always guided by a deep awareness of how life unfolds and connects. Through my work, a greater sense of understanding and compassion toward myself has emerged. Painting has become both a mirror and a means of growth.
The portraits I create are not portraits of external models. They are, instead, portraits of my inner world — reflections of my soul. Meaning arises not only within each individual work, but also through the relationship between image, title and presence as a complete artwork. These elements are inseparable and reinforce one another.
My greatest motivation is recognizing my artistic ability as a gift to myself. I paint first and foremost for my own process of becoming, and only afterwards share the work with the world, in the hope that viewers may find resonance, strength and meaning within it as well.
I work with acrylic paint on professional linen mounted on aluminium frames. My technique is shaped by the use of Princeton Catalyst tools, which create distinctive textures and subtle colour nuances within the layered surfaces. I am drawn to allowing underlying background colours to reappear within the portrait, revealing depth and continuity beneath the surface.
My style continues to evolve through new challenges and inspiration drawn from other artists. Rather than imitation, this serves as a catalyst — encouraging me to bring my own voice and potential ever more clearly to the surface.
