Afra Eisma was born in 1993 in The Netherlands, and is an artist who often works with textiles, ceramics and sculpture. Her work is innovative and playful, and she creates immersive experiences for audiences using colourful, fun and larger-than-life characters to often portray darker themes and feelings, such as social isolation, fear and anger.
From June – October 2023, The Tetley Art Gallery in Leeds hosted splashdown tender, Afra Eisma’s first UK solo exhibition, as part of the Dreaming season of LEEDS 2023. Eisma’s signature bright colours, tactile textures, and soft and cuddly creatures took over the gallery, with a large collection of friendly aliens, the ‘otherworldly beings’ which visitors could sit with and poke, touch, cuddle and squeeze! When interviewed at The Tetley, Afra Eisma said “It is important for everyone to access my work”, and this exhibition was definitely accessible for all! Arms with huge hands and painted fingernails stretched from room to room, and beautiful ceramic sculptures sat side by side with ‘Garments of Anger’ – beautiful silk dresses adorned with angry phrases expressing the artist’s frustration with socio-political issues.
