Isabelle van Zeijl is captivating the art world with her self-portraits. Her work is infused with a depth and symbolism that impresses connoisseurs, while the themes she explores resonate deeply with a wide international audience. Narratives of strength and vulnerability, of beauty and survival, of self- realisation and renewal: her photographs connect and inspire people around the world. Art has always played an important role in Van Zeijl’s life. She grew up in a creative family, albeit one without much emotional stability. This served to fuel her survival instinct. Van Zeijl found solace in the beautiful books and magazines on art history, architecture and fashion that lined the shelves of her childhood home. Today, Van Zeijl enjoys a successful career as a celebrated fine art photographer. The camera as a tool‘What fascinated me most were the strong poses and powerful gazes of the models. They exuded a kind of freedom that I longed for,’ says Van Zeijl. She started making self-portraits at the age of five. ‘Those self-portraits were my anchor, a way to connect with myself. They made me realise that I wasn't my environment.’ Years later, self-portraits would become the defining characteristic of Van Zeijl’s work. The camera is just a tool; an instrument to help me capture a self-portrait. It could be any other medium. In art, there are no rules or restrictions.’
Finding beauty within
Van Zeijl studied architecture at the Royal Academy of Art in Breda. While pursuing her degree, she also exhibited and sold her work. ‘I believe everyone has a purpose in life, a gift they should share with the world,’ says Van Zeijl. ‘And that’s what I’m doing.’ In her work, Van Zeijl draws inspiration from the Old Masters and the abundance of nature. Beauty is a recurring theme in her work. ‘Beauty plays a major role in mental health. Studies have shown it can even have a healing effect. To me, true beauty is the freedom and safety of belonging to oneself first.’ Before her international breakthrough, Van Zeijl exhibited her work in art galleries and PAN Amsterdam, but the Netherlands soon felt too small. At The London art fair in 2014, Van Zeijl met American gallery owner Cynthia Corbett, who was instantly enamoured with her work. Van Zeijl's success quickly skyrocketed. Both these successes and the setbacks she encountered made her realise what she’d always dreamed of: breaking through in the international art scene. Van Zeijl has since become an established artist, selling her photographs in the United States and around the world. She has gained international acclaim and maintains close contact with gallery owners, art collectors and art enthusiasts. ‘I've had many poignant conversations with collectors about my work,’ she says. ‘My life path has been challenging, I asked myself how can I use my burden and bring light and hope into the world. My work inspires people to forge their own path towards awareness and freedom; to grow, to let go of trauma and to become more resilient and self-reliant. We all have obstacles to overcome in life. By facing these with courage, we build resilience. For me, real strength is starting again after a crises, embracing change and creating something new.’
The Rebirth of the Dutch Flower
One of the collections that garnered international acclaim for Van Zeijl was The Rebirth of the Dutch Flower. ‘It was 2020 and the world ground to a halt. People stopped travelling, borders were closed and the world suddenly seemed very small. Millions of flowers, one of the Netherlands’ key exports, were destroyed. I contacted flower growers to find a way to draw attention to the enormous losses their industry was suffering. I repurposed the flowers we salvaged from the containers and used them in my self-portraits to depict the vulnerability and transience of nature and life. The series was an ode to strength and rebirth.’ Van Zeijl donated part of the collection's proceeds to a charity for domestic violence. ‘Many families live in dangerous circumstances. The pandemic really brought this to light and the figures are shocking. We rise by lifting others.’
Latest collection: The Ocean
In her latest collection, The Ocean, Van Zeijl once again showcases her idealistic side. ‘This series draws attention to our environment and to the countless tonnes of fishing nets and plastic waste adrift in our oceans.’ Van Zeijl travelled to The Bahamas to collect fish nets and plastics that washed ashore and used it as jewellry for in her art. ‘I turned trash into treasure,’ she explains. ‘The collection, in a monochromatic colour scheme, is also an ode to silence amid the endless stimuli of everyday life. By going within, and being in silence we find all the answers.