Sanne Cheney-Steijger

In her multidisciplinary artistic practice, Sanne investigates the complexities and intersections of feminism, community, and human nature. Drawing from a background in fashion, she uses textiles, performance, installation, film, and photography to challenge established narratives about motherhood, femininity, and collective identity.

Her work is characterized by visual contrasts - skin tones against bold blacks and vibrant colors - creating visual languages that speak to both physical and psychological dimensions of human experience. Her current interest in quilting explores her interest in collaborative creation, positioning the traditionally feminine craft as a metaphor for community interdependence and shared storytelling.

Central to her practice is an artistic research process that begins with an almost obsessive curiosity. She consumes literature, engages in dialogue with diverse voices, and connects with practitioners beyond the art world, allowing conceptual connections to emerge organically. This research inevitably guides her selection of medium and material, resulting in work that is conceptually driven yet materially innovative.

Her art is firmly rooted in feminist discourse, particularly engaging with the emerging fourth wave and the concept of matriarchal resurgence. She excavates female histories
- from witch hunts to birth practices and mythology -reclaiming narratives long suppressed. Her work challenges the artificial separation between mothers, children, and communities perpetuated by individualistic and capitalist structures.

Through her quilted narratives, bodily performances, and multimedia installations, Cheney-Steijger confronts and destabilizes what society perceives as "tradition", particularly in parenting and family structures. She exposes how many of these supposedly timeless customs are in fact recent constructs, shaped by political and economic agendas rather than human needs. By juxtaposing scientific research, historical perspectives, and lived experiences, her work questions whether contemporary "normal" practices align with our innate human nature. In this critical examination, she invites viewers to recognize the disconnect between imposed societal structures and authentic human connection, ultimately advocating for communities that honor our collective well-being over artificial conventions designed for profit rather than people.