Femke was born in 1969 in the Netherlands but spent her adolescence in France. Back in the Netherlands she studied theatre after which she became a theatre director. For twelve years she made documentary theatre with actors and non actors, about people living in the city who felt or were excluded from society and had difficulties dealing with the system. She also used theatre to unite and empower her actors and non actors as well as her audience.
Motherhood brought forth the urge to turn more into her inner world and a transition from the art of theatre to the visual arts was born. Her fascination and inspiration is the city and urban renewal. The history of the city and its constant changes. The conflict that evolves from it. The stories behind the facades. The old versus the new.
She creates experiences for the visitor to be able to rethink an opinion and to open a dialogue. Her work as a binding element.
Education
2014-2017 Visual arts at Wackersacademie, Amsterdam.
1993-1997 Theatre directing at Regieopleiding, HKA, Amsterdam.
1989-1993 Theatre arts education at Toneelacademie, Maastricht.
Exhibitions
2019 Urban Renewal, various locations, Amsterdam.
2017 Deconstructie: Femke Melief & Jose Montoya, Radion Expo, Amsterdam.
2016, 2015 Open Broedplaatsendag, group exhibition, ACTA Broedplaats, Amsterdam.