Art collective FiL consists of Flos Pol, Ina Fekken, and Lea Laarakker. Together, the three of them defy stereotypes and continue to innovate within their field.

Serie “Goud-Houtstaven” detail

My painting is rooted in a connection to nature—an eternal dance of growth and decay, in which structures and patterns find their way onto paper and canvas. While my work is diverse, it shares a common spirit; there is an underlying coherence between the individual pieces, much like in nature itself.

In addition to painting and drawing, I create three-dimensional works and installations. I draw inspiration from discovering materials—often finding myself moved by the very substances I choose to incorporate into my work—as well as from the process of experimenting with and repurposing those materials. Through my art, I seek to express the beauty of nature and the necessity of treating our fragile environment with awareness and care.

Turn the table (detail)

Nowadays, I work almost exclusively with paper. Initially, I cut my paper pieces by hand, until I discovered a “new” technique: the laser cutter, which allows me to create both large-scale paper installations and small, delicate works. I enjoy experimenting and pushing the limits of both the machine and the various types of paper. This leads to new possibilities in terms of execution and expressive power.

The inescapable impact that humans have on nature and the environment is the central theme of my work.

For me, textiles have been the medium through which I can best express myself since I was young.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, I pursued various textile training programs in Germany and Switzerland, focusing specifically on the machine-based design and industrial production of lace patterns. I spent many years working in this field, a time I truly enjoyed.

Later, silk and silk-woven fabrics became my primary focus.