EN | NL
Helga Kock am Brink
Visual Artist | Materials, Craft and Imagination
Enschede, The Netherlands
Short Artist Bio
Helga is a Dutch visual artist, designer and educator based in Enschede, the Netherlands. She graduated from the AKI Art Academy in 1986 with a specialization in Monumental Art.
Her work is driven by curiosity about materials, techniques and the unexpected connections between them. Helga combines craftsmanship, experimentation and storytelling, often drawing inspiration from nature, history, technology and everyday life.
Alongside her studio practice she has worked extensively in art education, sharing her knowledge for nearly three decades as a teacher of visual arts. Today she continues to work both as an artist and as a teacher of art and technology.
Helga’s artistic philosophy is simple: not having a fixed style means freedom — the freedom to explore, to experiment and to create meaningful work together with others.
About Me
I am an inventor, dreamer, maker and teacher. I collaborate, experiment and build. At the same time I am my own secretary, bookkeeper, coordinator and receptionist.
Inspiration
Almost anything can inspire me: conversations with friends and clients, animals and their behavior, nature, poetry, absurd stories, music, history and technology.
I have always loved materials, tools and techniques — connecting things and creating something new from them. Over the years I have built up extensive knowledge of materials and processes.
As a child I was already experimenting: dismantling objects, building strange machines from wires and glue, drawing monsters with charcoal, or inventing creatures from bread dough or pudding. That curiosity and playfulness have never disappeared.
Education
After secondary school I studied at the AKI Art Academy in Enschede, where I graduated in 1986 as a Bachelor of Arts specializing in Monumental Art.
During my studies I developed a strong interest in intuitive and sometimes surreal ways of working. Life drawing classes with Frank van den Broeck were especially inspiring.
After graduating I received several grants from the Dutch Ministry of Education and Culture to support my work as a starting artist.
Practice
Over the years I have worked in many different contexts. Together with other artists I helped run a large studio building and producer’s gallery where we organized exhibitions, educational projects and international exchanges.
I have worked as an artist in residence in Bristol (UK) and Poland, and I have completed additional training in Italy in the restoration of historical plaster layers, fresco and painting techniques.
I also completed an internship at the renowned Derix Glass Studio in Germany and attended several workshops and technical courses.
For 28 years I worked as a teacher of visual arts at Concordia Kunst & Cultuur. Today I continue to work in education as a teacher of art and technology, sharing my experience and encouraging creativity in younger generations.
Artistic Approach
Ideas often come unexpectedly: in daydreams, sketches or while experimenting with materials. I keep thousands of sketches and notes that sometimes develop into new projects.
My style is not having a fixed style. For me this means freedom — the freedom to experiment, to explore unexpected paths and to create work that surprises and brings joy.
Trust and good communication are essential in this process, especially when working with clients or collaborative projects.
Mission
As an artist I do not work only for myself. I see it as my task to use my skills in service of others — helping to visualize and realize the dreams and ideas of people around me.
That challenge gives my work meaning.