26 mei 2020 | Nieuws
Until 1 June theatremakers, actors, artists and dancers are forced to sit at home. As part of the official measures aimed at keeping the spread of the coronavirus under control, exhibitions are off and performances have been cancelled. What do these measures mean for Piket Art Prizes’ young artists? Part 10: Joran van Soest.
When his exhibitions were all cancelled or postponed, Joran van Soest, 2019 nominee in the Painting category, really had to reset. “I was on the ball, doing a lot, but it was also just about what I could manage.” Joran considers it a piece of luck that his exhibition I love you still, I loved you at the Noordbrabants Museum was extended until 1 July – it is his first solo show at a museum. “It’s all on condition museums will be open again by that time,” Joran says. “I had lots of ideas for side events, guided tours and the like. But these have all been cancelled.” The Noordbrabants Museum website has a digital tour of the collection which also features Joran’s work. “That was a pleasant surprise,” he says. But the This Is Art Fair Amsterdam, which was to have opened on 21 May, has been cancelled.
Joran spends a lot of time in his studio working on collages based on earlier prints of his work. “I’m finding out more about printing techniques and work a lot in blue and in oils.” He’s also taking drawing and painting lessons. Joran suspects he has actually been infected with the corona virus. “But the symptoms weren’t serious enough to go to hospital. I had a cough and an attack of fever, but the family doctor said ‘as long as you’re able to speak well turned sentences, there’s not much the matter with you’.” He has made a complete recovery. “I try to stick to a balanced schedule. I don’t mind self-isolation. I’m a solitary person by nature.” He regrets that a set of workshops at the Hembrugterrein in Zaandam, which would take place over a three-month period, has been cancelled. “Together with a friend, I would be teaching welding workshops to people from the art world, such as curators, museum directors and artists. Most of the time, we just see each other on special occasions, gallery openings for instance. I thought it would be a nice idea to have a welding network moment.” He hopes to be able to do the workshops at some later stage.
Joran will be leaving for California in February of next year. His work will be presented at the Palm Springs Art Museum’s California Exchange Exhibition. “My exhibition at the KRL gallery in Eindhoven, which was to take place in June, has been postponed until November.” With a good friend he also works on a series of films – more information will follow. Joran thinks that the corona measures may be succeeded by a big crisis. “The art world has been doing splendidly for quite some time now. I already feared it wouldn’t last.”
Foto: Hessel Waalewijn
