Though our building's artistic programme is paused, our Studio Artists have kept the spirit of art alive within our walls. The diversity of their practices showcases a rich variety of creative expression. Each artist weaves unique narratives, sparking engagement through their distinctive explorations. Wondering what they do and what they're working on? Keep reading to learn more about Benjamin Francis, Bonnie Ogilvie, Isa van Lier, Iriée Zamblé, Johannes Offerhaus, and Mint Park.

Iriée Zamblé, an Amsterdam-rooted visual artist and recipient of the Royal Award for Modern Painting, draws inspiration from her West African heritage to challenge norms surrounding portraiture. Her thought-provoking works dissect notions of everyday life black identity and her West-African heritage, offering a fresh perspective on the human experience.

Before becoming our most recent studio artist, Iriée was 6-month resident at Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, supported by the Mondriaan Fund. She also was an artist-in-residence at Museum het Rembrandthuis in Amsterdam as well as Roodkapje Rotterdam. Today, she is part of the supervisory board of Unfair Art Fair, art space Motormond and Young Stedelijk as an ambassador. She is currently working on a commissioned project for the Frans Hals Museum.

In his work, visual artist Benjamin Francis exposes the hidden dynamics of the power relations that structure and regulate the way we were taught to distinguish right from wrong. He questions how those systems came into existence and who holds the position to dictate those binary oppositions. His work has been shown in places like P////AKT, Hotel Maria Kappel and collaborated alongside If I Can't Dance production house.

Currently, Benjamin is immersed in his thought-provoking film project Am I, an Object? in which he delves into the intriguing relationship between body and object. Through his cinematic exploration set within the atmospheric confines of a funeral home, Benjamin challenges traditional hierarchies within the artistic realm. His work prompts viewers to contemplate the blurred lines between creator and creation, exploring themes of authorship and ownership amidst the rituals of death.

One of our longstanding residents is the multitalented Isa van Lier. She captivates audiences with her unique approach to art, encompassing ceramic sculptures, paintings, and immersive installations. Fascinated by the universal language of form, van Lier's creations act as vibrant playgrounds for viewers' imaginations. Drawing inspiration from Japanese culture and Shintoism, her works evoke a sense of life and soul, inviting viewers to delve into realms of intuition and curiosity.

Currently, Isa is sowing seeds for future projects, aiming to explore how her world can become even more vibrant and alive.

Throughout 2023 and into early 2024, sound artist Mint Park has been conducting research on meteorological devices and data. She has also been gathering field recordings of turbulent air flows in areas like Amsterdam West Poort, Zaandam, Jeju, and Seoul. She is designing and testing new instruments, such as a listening device and acoustic radar. These devices incorporate and reflect sonic field data and compositions, highlighting the phenomenon of turbulence in the sonic realm. They allow collective experiences through listening.

Currently, Park is working on the project Sensing Boundary Layers of Unknown. This project involves sensing turbulent, unhinged, and unfamiliar patterns in the outdoor air around us. Additionally, you can catch Mint during Sonic Acts Biennial: Sediments hosted in our building, where she will do a sound performance.

Visual artist and fashion major Bonnie Ogilvie places her practice in the middle of art and fashion. Ogilvie uses Scottish Tartan as a method of communication and translates her emotions, observations, and surroundings. Ultimately, the artist's Scottish background and personal connection to the Tartan structure find its way back into the social fabric—each portrait representing a different person, group or place.

Her work has been exhibited in places like Unfair Art Fair, KunstRAI, De Appel & Van Gogh Museum. Most recently, she collaborated with Tokyo boutique MOOL and Japanese fashion publisher SHIBUYA PARCO for a special commission.

Johannes Offerhaus has made a name for himself in the art world through his innovative work with fabrics. He interned at Viktor & Rolf in 2012 before graduating with honours from the ArtEZ Institute for the Arts in Arnhem. His graduation collection, Centrifugal Systems, garnered him the Frans Molenaar Couture Award. This collection, which studied the effects of gravity on fabrics and clothing, highlighted Offerhaus's exploration of form and motion. His solo exhibition, An Experiment with Parabolas, debuted on November 17, 2017, captivating audiences with its blend of human activity and mechanical response. Since then, his installations, which combine movement, sound, and form, have been ongoing through his studio, ZELT.