Ten artists share their experiences about the Mentorship

In 2024, Art Office started the Mentorship program, initially as a pilot. Rotterdam visual artists with a specific question about (a component of) their professional practice could register for a conversation with a colleague. We have now linked 54 artists. Twenty-seven encounters that have led to new knowledge and perspectives and mutual inspiration. To give an idea of ​​the diversity of encounters, we highlight five below. And, good news: this year you can once again register here! 

Ruth Horstmashoff and Wapke Feenstra
Ruth Horstmanshoff was made a first artists which makes herself registered for the Mentorship. She ging in conversation with Wapke Feenstra. Horstmanshoff: 'Wapke is going as artist many collaborations challenges. Ik wilde know how they that did. We to have come conversations had whereby we on visit are been in each other's workshop en together made a exhibition in the National Tree Museum to have visited. While this appointments learned we each other's work- en method better DUTCH en to have we valuable conversations about the artistic process lined. Also spoke we about how you as artist je practice spinning keeps. For instance by member te Worden Art Association, Like this told Wapke. This type paid herself direct from. '

Melissa Moria and Jochem Rotteveel
Jochem Rotteveel was paired as a mentor with Melissa Moria, who wanted to explore with him how she could professionalize her art practice. Moria: 'I wanted to get into a number of galleries and participate in fairs such as Art Rotterdam and Big Art. Jochem advised me on the steps I still had to take to achieve this. During the period we spoke, I was admitted to Big Art.' 

Rotteveel about his sessions with Moria: 'We discussed her representation, her participation in fairs and drew up keywords with which she could write her artist statement. The exercise with keywords is often a huge eye-opener because they are also related to each other. Then you see people thinking: "Is my work also about that?" It was great fun to do and I have inspired more Rotterdam artists here and there to sign up.' 

Astrid Moors and Bert Frings
Astrid Moors was also enthusiastic about her participation in the project: '“How good, such a Mentorship!”, that was the first thing I thought. From the list of mentors I asked Bert Frings. Because I did not know him, but mainly because I found his way of working intriguing, and his CV showed that he had sold to museums and corporate collections. I was curious how those sales had come about.' 

Moors: 'The mentoring process is good for recalibrating your position, talking about your work, what you are up against, discussing practical matters and getting tips from a colleague. But above all, it is a motivating stick behind the door, because you often have to do it all by yourself. We visited each other's studios. With a few goals and tips, I got started and immediately took steps.'

Karin Stroo & Dirk van Lieshout
Karin Stroo approached Dirk van Lieshout to talk to him about the way he works out his projects narratively in installations. Stroo: 'In the past I mixed different media into a narrative installation. I would like to go down that path again. I also wanted to talk to him about working with ceramics and sculptures, which I have been doing for three years.'

A studio visit was planned. Stroo: 'During the first visit I showed work from the past few years (mainly sculptures) and took a few older works (drawings and films) out of the closet. Dirk quickly put his finger on the sore spot. What I was not doing well yet was presenting my work. He showed me the importance of choosing a carrier or pedestal, contextual material, light, text, quantity, the place of presentation and the space in which the work is located. Dirk also gave tips and assignments for the next time we would see each other; look at a number of other artists, try things out in the presentation and remove a dark wall in my studio. The drawings were too prominent. Make room for presentation.' 

'During the second visit a few weeks later, the result of his advice was already visible. In my project 'hand sculptures' a selection of hands had been made and after doing tests I had come to the conclusion that the wall was the best support. We looked at that and Dirk gave follow-up advice. The wall was whitewashed. Other work was taken apart more and immediately came into its own. In this way, four works have already been helped on their way to a good presentation. And with Dirk's advice I can move forward for a while. It has opened something up.' 



Rient Adrijan and Fatima Barznge
Rient Adrijan requested a mentoring interview with Fatima Barznge at the end of last year. He chose her because her work is labor-intensive, precise and graphic, elements that suit him as well. Adrijan: 'I make stained glass with a lot of detail and was looking for new ways to use this medium. I was also curious about her search and the obstacles in this. Besides being educational, it was also super fun to talk to Fatima. We learned a lot about each other's work and culture and I definitely take Fatima's words with me in my work.' 

The artists visited each other's studios and viewed old and new work to see what the process behind it is. Bzarznge: 'We also leafed through books to see which ancient cultures inspire us. When we noticed that we got our inspiration from the same sources, we saw a clear connection between the West and the Middle East. We also had conversations about subjects that Rient encountered as a starting autonomous artist. This included, for example, the artistic and financial aspects, networking, presentations, exhibitions and his commercial assignments.' 

Barznge: 'It was a valuable experience to participate in the Mentorship program. I liked the fact that a trusting bond developed between me and my mentee so quickly. The one-on-one mentorship works very well for artists because it is a two-way street where the mentor also learns from the mentee. It is a win-win situation. 

Are you registered at Art Office and interested in a Mentorship after reading these experiences? Sign up!

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