Sylvia de Vries - Ribbers's Circle of Hell

Memento Tea
Sep 4, 2019
5 min read

Welcome to the new "Artist's Circle Of Hell" editorial: a journey through the eyes and thoughts of magnificent Dark Artists.

Today we are delightful to talk with Sylvia de Vries - Ribbers... We'll be honoured to show her oniric art for the upcoming "Centuries Decay" exhibition, from September 9 to October 7, 2019.

Sylvia de Vries – Ribbers is a Dutch surreal contemporary artist, specialised in horror and the bizarre. She takes her inspiration from the human anatomy, (dark) folk and fairy tales and the darkness of the mind. Ever since she could hold a pencil, she has been drawing and colouring. Fairy tales and Disney have been her first inspiration, but ever since she was little there was still that part of her that liked the dark and unusual. Now she tries to combine those two styles into one, showing people the most scary thing on earth is what is in the peoples own minds. Besides her own work as form of Art Therapy, she does various submissions from portraits of loved ones and animals to tattoo designs and book illustrations. She is also an artist at Gift Horse Productions, an art team situated in the Washington state of the USA. Enjoy the interview!

First circle - Limbo

How old is your soul? Do you have an inner child?

I like to think I have an old soul, it does feel like that sometimes. A sense of Deja Vu when visiting historical buildings or places. However, I've been told I have the mischievous humor of a 12 year old, so I definitely have an inner child.

Second circle - Lust

Before you have reached your artistic path, have you ever instinctively tried different fields that did not appeal to you, just for the sake of it? Are you still in search for your art style?

When I was in primary school, I wanted to be a hairdresser. I've always been drawing and doing anything crafty. In a few years time that changed and I did my first steps into Elderly healthcare. I picked that route because it was safe, there was enough of work, but I still wanted to keep doing artsy stuff on the side. Due to mental health issues, I had to quit my job and Art slowly but surely became an even bigger part of me, it's now the only thing I do. I have found my artistic style, I got several, the more Illustrative and the more Realistic, but I keep progressing and improving.

Third circle - Gluttony

How hungry are you for the art, for your passion? How much are you addicted and addicted to it, moving away from your perception of reality?

Art is my life, I surely believe it saved my life multiple times. Everywhere I go, I bring at least something to scribble down sketched. I can get lost in my work so far that when someone calls my name, I jump and shake awake.

Fourth circle - Greed

Sometimes, do you feel greedy with your job? Do you think that a strong attachment to money can compromise your art? No intention to offend, but only to explore what goes beyond being a "starving artist".

I find it hard to pin a price to my art, especially with friends or family. I do know that, if I not take my work seriously, no one else will. Of course I enjoy making money of my art, besides paying the bills it does make me feel like I can be proud of myself, that people want a piece of ''me''. So far, I only sold originals or commissions, as a beginner in the ''professional artist'' world, I do know prints sell easier, which is what I will offer as well. But nothing compares the feeling of selling that original piece.

Fifth circle - Anger

How you see the Art World today? There are some stuff that make you uncomfortable?

In Art itself there is little that makes me uncomfortable, to me, art needs a shock value. I chose my surreal and horror themes because I want to show everyone the there can be beauty in darkness when there is a good balance. I do see very different sections of the Art World and the only thing that makes me angry is that people with name or lots of money can rise to be very great while others aren't even given a chance to expose themselves because they are '' not famous enough'' or ''didn't do Art Academy''. But that's an issue that isn't only relevant in the Art World.

Sixth circle - Heresy

Have you ever done a project or commission totally different from your kind of art? (for example, as fairy art, erotic art, fantasy art or comic art)

I do, the most commission I've sold so far are portraits of people and pets. And I also love doing, it's a challenge for me to make as realistic as possible. Sometimes I do like making cute and ''pretty'' things , but with my own twist on it. The upside of Surreal art is that everything is possible.

Seventh circle - Violence

Are you afraid to represent cruel stuff of the reality in your art? If not, it goes beyond the simple visual impact?

No, I'm totally not afraid of any real life representation I've dealt with my own struggles and made art of it, I made art of certain political issues in a very subtle way. I think it's one of my callings as an artist to let people see things they might have been unaware of before, to show them a piece of reality in Art.

Eighth circle - Fraud

Without naming, have you ever been deceived by a false customer or company? What was your initial feeling? Do you want to give some advice to those who are new in this field? Don't worry if you do not want to answer.

Luckily I have never been deceived. I did some research on the subject and asked for advice to prevent this from happening as much as possible. I think good advice is to ask part of the payment beforehand and stay in contact with the customer.

Ninth circle - Treachery

Would you ever exchange your life as artist with a safer and quieter life? What would you do if you could not make art?

This is a hard question... I would maybe like to make my money on a more stable way, like in an office, but I'd never give up art at all. It's so much connected to me that even thinking of not being able to do it, makes me feel panicked. As I said before I do more craft things so I will have some part of replacement, but if I for example, get some accident where I won't be able to do anything...I think that would ruin my life. My art helps me to cope with my demons, to reduce my stress and to stabilize me in crisis situations, I don't even WANT to think what would happen if that was gone.