Joanna van Dyk is a multidisciplinary artist from Stroud, UK, currently residing in Oakland, CA. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art and Biology from Kenyon College, Ohio, in 2022, following a formative two-year period in Costa Rica. Van Dyk’s senior exhibition, “Coming Together / Breaking Apart,” held at the Gund Gallery, engaged deeply with themes of human relationships through the mediums of soft sculpture and oil painting. Her work critically examines the nature of intimacy, questioning the addictive quality of love and the tendency for individuals to rely on singular relationships for emotional fulfillment, often at the expense of broader communal connections.
Van Dyk’s sculptures are designed to provoke introspection, inviting viewers to confront their own complex desires for comfort and connection. Her practice reflects a nuanced exploration of the emotional versus rational brain, challenging audiences to reconsider the nature of their relational dynamics. In addition to her artistic pursuits, van Dyk applies her scientific expertise as a wildlife biologist, integrating her ecological observations into her creative process. Her ongoing projects continue to push the boundaries of conventional sculpture, offering thought-provoking and visually arresting works.
Joanna van Dyk 