Inspired by the Japanese printmaking technique Gyotaku, Michiel Folkers (1982) began experimenting with printing flowers and plants in 2016. “By chance, there was a teddy bear in my studio, which led to a shift in subject matter. Its recognizability, fragility, and simplicity immediately struck a chord…” Over the years, his bear has become a recurring motif. The image of Michiel using physical force to press innocent teddy bears into ink and onto a medium evokes a range of reactions. This very tension is an essential part of his work, resulting in pieces that are vibrant, timeless, and unique.