Below the Surface: a life philosophy made visible

In a time of noise, uncertainty, and collective exhaustion, multi-disciplinary
abstract artist Sieglinde Van Damme is offering something rare: a visual sanctuary to just breathe.

Sieglinde Van Damme’s path from economist to full-time artist may seem unconventional, but her work reveals a consistent focus: human behavior. Born in Belgium and now based in California, Van Damme brings a thoughtful, introspective lens to her art—one shaped by systems thinking and lived experience. Her guiding mantra, “Re-imagine what else is possible”™, informs both her process and her message.

Working across painting, mixed media, and installation, Van Damme builds her pieces through a slow layering process. Each layer represents a life phase—some joyful, others painful—resulting in textured works that reflect the complexity of personal growth. A recurring element in her practice is the use of white, often applied as a final gesture. For Van Damme, white symbolizes a clean slate: a space to release the past and make room for what’s to come.

In her 2025 solo exhibition, Below the Surface: a life philosophy made visible, at Whitney Modern in Los Gatos, Van Damme presents three recent series that explore these themes. At the center of the gallery is a new mirror installation, offering viewers a literal and metaphorical reflection of themselves within the work.

Each piece in the show is accompanied by a handwritten letter from the artist to its future owner. These notes share the emotional landscape behind the work and express her hopes for its place in someone else’s life—adding a rare layer of intimacy to the viewing experience.

Below the Surface: a life philosophy made visible is part of Whitney Modern’s 2025 exhibition calendar. For gallery hours and information, visit whitneymodern.com.

Follow Sieglinde Van Damme’s work on Instagram at @sieglinde.art and explore more on her website: sieglindevandamme.com

Images

#1 – “B U R (S) T (H)” – ink and acrylics on photograph on canvas, 40 x 60 x 1.5 inches
#2 – “Dance of What If”, acrylics and oil on canvas, 36 x 24 x 1.5 inches
#3 – “Below the Surface”, acrylics and oil on canvas, 48 x 40 x 1.5 inches