Sarah van der Pols’s work focuses on the human figure and its elusive and intangible aspects. Using linear techniques with pen, pencil, and pigment ink, she seeks to capture what cannot easily be depicted. Her theme, Amae (甘え), is a Japanese concept referring to a form of emotional dependence ora trusting reliance on others, often characterised by a desire to be loved, cared for, or indulged. The technique Van der Pols uses is also rooted in Eastern traditions. She often works with a soot candle, using it to soot her drawings and create a highly distinctive visual effect. She then continues working on them with an eraser and gouache.

Van der Pols has exhibited internationally, including in China, Japan, and Turkey. Her work is part of collections such as those of the Stedelijk Museum Schiedam, Erasmus University Rotterdam, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She also teaches at the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam, where she herself graduated.

Fairs

Paper Positions Berlin  (2025, 2026)
Art on Paper Amsterdam (2026)