FREEZE
Tessa Kienstra (2001) is a Dutch multimedia artist based in Groningen. Using diverse materials such as painting, analogue photography, and printmaking, she creates dreamlike scenes that blur the line between reality and imagination. Inspired by nature, the unconscious mind, and photographs from her immediate surroundings, she constructs collages of her inner world, translating complex feelings and personal experiences into visual form.
She explores themes such as neurodiversity, self-acceptance, a longing for alternative realities, and interconnectedness. As a woman with ADHD, Tessa reflects on her experience navigating life in a society that often values productivity and success over rest and introspection. This performance-driven world can be overwhelming for people with ADHD, leading to moments of mental paralysis and emotional exhaustion. Her work visualizes these internal "freezes," when the pressure becomes too much and taking action seems impossible. In her painting 'FREEZE', she depicts herself sitting motionless on a bed, zoning out of reality. Meanwhile, a chaotic kitchen filled with unfinished tasks surrounds her, and a window reveals a serene landscape, symbolizing a deep longing for calmness.
By visualizing the ADHD freeze through layered symbolism, she hopes to raise awareness for the challenges neurodivergent people face in a world not built for the way their brain works. Her use of symbolism allows her to tell a deeply personal story while also creating space for recognition and connection.
