The New Originals x Galerie Ron Mandos: Best Of Graduates

How would you describe your artistic style?

Regardless of representation, I paint in a rather direct manner, using single lines and a lot of paint. This makes my paintings very physical. The characters I use to tell my stories are often part of rather chaotic scenes, but still emit a kind of serenity. The way I paint these stories depend on my mood. The emotions we feel are not fixed. They fluctuate depending on certain knowledge, expectations for the future, past experiences and the choice of the present. I try to apply this in my work. I could see something happening and decide to make a work about it. When my feelings regarding this event change, the work will change as well. I believe this duality is a big part of me and my creative process.

I decided to study fine arts in Antwerp, at the Royal Academy of arts. So for now, I want to learn more about painting and create a new series of work. Besides this study I would really like to do some interdisciplinary collaborations, like film or theatre.

 

Mayis Rukel | Artist & Filmmaker | @mayisrukel

How would you describe your artistic style?

It often contains many layers interwoven around a theme emerging from many notes, research & observations that I collect all the time.

How did you develop your final assignment/graduate project idea?

In November 2019 I noticed that some of the ideas I've been thinking of and working on for some time could come together organically and create The Pendant. I began working on the production soon after that.

What do you want to accomplish and do now since you graduated?

At the moment I'm busy establishing my studio while working on writing & research for some of the ideas I feel good about working on.

Where would you ideally like to exhibit your work?

Perhaps each work will call for spaces & contexts that will be ideal for it to be involved in. Sometimes I can also transform it a bit to make it fit better into spaces and discussions I'd like to be a part of.

Do you have another big dream you would like to accomplish?

I'm not really motivated by big dreams. I hope to continue my career being happy with what I do, the relationships I build and the communities I feel a part of.

How would you describe your artistic style?

My artistic practice is inspired by modernist art, seeking for experimentation with form and rethinking the established conservative definitions, in particular. In terms of the visual qualities of my work, it often reassembles a comic like style, what helps me to play with the contrast between reality and representation, and adds a layer of humor to all my works. 

How did you develop your final assignment/graduate project idea?

My graduation project is a result of the constant process, a continuous chain of sequences. 

What do you want to accomplish and do now since you graduated?

I want to continue exploring the art world in The Netherlands.

Where would you ideally like to exhibit your work?

Big and empty white cube space!! :)

Do you have another big dream you would like to accomplish?

Not a dream, but rather a goal — participate in an art residency, where I can create a work implemented in the space, in which perception of the surroundings will be twisted. Also, being able to exhibit all around the world is my banal image of ideal future. 

Johan Inbrahim Adam | Sweden | @Storhuvud

Could you please introduce yourself shortly?

My name is Johan Ibrahim Adam. I was born 1989 in Örebro, Sweden, and I recently graduated from the glass department at Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam. I am in love with the color pink.

How would you describe your artistic style?

Playfulness has always been an important element in my work. Yet my art is very serious. I reflect on historical perceptions and political statements through stories of individual heritage and collective experiences by expressionistic working methods with a variety of materials such as painting, glass, textile and sculpture.

How did you develop your final assignment/graduate project idea?

The development of my graduation project took a great leap during the lockdown earlier this year, while I was surrounded by the dense forests of Sweden. The tree branches in my installation have faces made out of blown glass, depicting the liveliness and ever so fragile nature that we as humanity is so much a part of.

What do you want to accomplish and do now since you graduated?

I want my journey through life to be a continuous learning and teaching experience, and to keep exchanging knowledge even outside of the academy. I am very excited and curious to where my artistic practice will lead.

Where would you ideally like to exhibit your work?

I love to inspire (and get inspired by) other creatives and artists, so to share my work in galleries and museums is very much appreciated. But since I am from a family who very rarely visited such institutions I know how important it is to also reach public spaces, primary schools, libraries, etc. to inspire different audiences.

Do you have another big dream you would like to accomplish?

I want to go to outer space.