26 october 2022, Oscar van Gelderen
The studio of... Joëlle Dubois
What does the ideal studio look like? How much time does an artist spend in his studio? Is it a sacred place? This week in the series 'The Artist’s studio' we speak with Joëlle Dubois, whose solo exhibition 'Forget Me Not' will be on show at Keteleer Gallery in Antwerp until 26 November.
Do you visit your studio every day?
Yes, I do now. The past year was very busy, so I was here every day of the week. My second solo exhibition this year opened on October 22; in June I showed work at Thomas Rehbein Gallery in Cologne, and this month at Keteleer Gallery. Then I'll take a break for a while. Being an artist is quite a lonely profession. If I've spent too much time alone in my studio, I can get very socially uncomfortable or sometimes even a little paranoid. It seems like my brain has to reboot itself. Or it manifests itself in another extreme: then I crave human contact.
The studio of Joëlle Dubois. Photo: Virginie Aparecida Baijot
What time do you leave for your studio, and how: on foot, by bicycle, public transport or car?
I like the early morning and my focus is greater in the morning. In fact, I head straight to my studio and try to be there between eight and nine a.m. The bike ride is about ten minutes and my dog Milo always goes with me, in his bike basket (which he hates). I first take a walk in the Begijnhof with him, as a morning routine. The Begijnhof is actually his toilet (I'll clean it up nicely, with ecological dog bags!). Then he immediately walks to the front door of the studio and makes it clear that he wants his breakfast. His breakfast is priority.
Do you hold on to certain rituals in your studio? Music or silence?
A glass of carrot juice! I have trouble listening to music, as it distracts me too much. Only Robert Ashley may accompany me musically in my studio. I almost invariably put on a movie or series. There may also be silence, usually in the morning or before lunch. In the afternoon and especially in the evening I go crazy when it is quiet. Then I watch one movie after another while I work. Many people find this odd, but it gives me a certain focus and the conviviality of people talking stimulates me. I like (background) noises like crackling fireplaces, busy inns, but also ASMR videos and historical costume dramas, which is one of my favourite genres to watch, and also true crime documentaries. Love it! Andy Warhol apparently even had two TVs on in his studio. That would drive my fellow studio mates completely crazy.
How important is light to you?
Light is everything. I am lucky in that regard, because there is light in abundance here. It is sometimes disturbing to work. I paint at a large window and when the sun is out, it’s hard to ignore. I don't want to tape my window or hang a curtain, so I came up with something! My father-in-law built a custom-made table on wheels.
What does your work process look like? Do you work everywhere and all the time or does work only commence the moment you enter your studio?
Art is omnipresent, it’s everywhere. I am also at work outside my studio. My head is like a sponge, subconsciously or consciously I am always getting inspiration. There is a hodgepodge of sources where an idea can be. On the street, online, a striking look, a place, a situation. Then I refer to various compositions of masterpieces or old works that contain the theme I am looking for. I then start with a small sketch, which looks more like a scribble. I'm mashing the sources a bit together in my image. And then I start working on the canvas, where I first draw the sketch in pencil. And from there I start to build up with acrylic. I can't explain it well, but the process may be somewhat similar to how Photoshop works. In my head I divide the painting into different layers. I work from back to front. I paint background layers first and build up to the foreground. When the image comes alive for me, that's usually how I can tell it's finished.
How much time do you spend on average per day in your studio?
Sometimes I spend too much time working on my paintings, obsessively reworking them again and again. Also, I never quit remember how I did something in the past. Every time I paint a hand, for example, I feel like it's a new experience. I'm like: what? How did I do this last time? It’s sort of ridiculous, really.
Is your studio a sacred place?
Actually, in a literal sense it is. My studio is located in the middle of a Beguinage. It is a hidden, quiet oasis in the city centre. The studio and the environment is a great stimulus. There's a different energy here, very calm and peaceful (yes, it's really Very Quiet here). It's great! When I want to get away from it all and need some extra caffeine, the busy city is outside the Beguinage, which is a completely different source of inspiration. Mainly the people, the passers-by. I can be inspired by the peace and quiet, but also by an outfit that I think is cool, or someone I meet on the street.
Do you receive visits there; collectors, curators or fellow artists?
I really enjoy having other people working close by, so that's why it's nice that this is a shared studio. There are always sounds from other artists. As I spend so much time here, I sometimes invite friends over for lunch. Or a friend comes to read a book or work on the computer. Of course, there are studio visits too.
Photo: Virginie Aparecida Baijot
What is the most beautiful studio you have ever seen?
Gosh, I think that's a really hard question. I often find a sculptor's studio very impressive. Michelangelo's studio must have been fantastic. The studio must have been completely snow-covered with the white powder and towering Carrara marble statues that follow the artist's every move like gods. Awesome!
What does the ideal studio look like?
High ceilings, large windows, central heating and a good internet connection are of great importance to me. So I have nothing to complain about.
