A gallery exhibition where visitors are not only spectator, but also artists: Albert Pepermans has curated 'Selfies Part 1 & 2', a diptych showcasing around 30 self-portraits of artists that also gives visitors the opportunity to draw and exhibit their own self-portrait.
'Selfies Part 1', featuring work by Albert Pepermans, Christina Zimpel, Gabrielle Graessle, Janine Vandebosch, Jesse Willems, Lize Maekelberg, Luis Vidal and Raymond Fuyana, is on display at Schönfeld Gallery in Brussels until 27 April, while 'Selfies Part 2' will open on 5 May.
My studio is located at my home in the centre of Kortenberg, a village near Brussels. My living and working space consists of different areas that have organically formed over the years. I built my house in the garden of my parents' home. I later had the opportunity to take over an adjacent forge that belonged to my uncle. Without compromising the original and authentic elements, I turned it into a summer studio. In the winter, I work in the section that used to be my childhood home. All these spaces are connected by various terraces and patios filled with trees and plants.
What is most important to you in a studio: natural light, high ceilings, sufficient storage or having friends and colleagues nearby?
The size of my paintings and my entire body of work requires space. I find it important to have high ceilings and wide walls so I can gain a good overview of my work. Storage space is crucial for sorting and stacking my paintings. I prefer simplicity, so if these two requirements are met, I am a happy man. I always work alone and do not want to be disturbed during the creative process.
I deliberately chose to have a winter and a summer studio. The winter studio is smaller and therefore easier to heat. A comfortable temperature is essential for working. In the spring and summer, I move back into my larger studio, the old forge. I wouldn't switch my studios for anything, but if I had to, I wouldn't mind a temporary retreat in Georg Baselitz's large studio.
You curated 'Selfies Part 1 & 2', the exhibition currently showing in Brussels at Schönfeld Gallery. How did the idea for this show come about?
A few years ago, I was passing time at the train station in Ghent taking pictures of a few of my drawings in the passport photo booth. The result was exhibited at Gallery Deus in Antwerp under the title Sans papiers. Building on this exhibition, we developed the idea for an exhibition where visitors are encouraged to portray themselves based on their reflection. Afterwards, they take pictures of themselves in the booth – which we recreated in the exhibition space – while holding the self-portrait. The idea is to express Joseph Beuys's notion that “Jeder Mensch ist ein Künstler” (“Every person is an artist”).
It's impressive that the self-portraits of over 30 artists are displayed in the two shows. Can the exhibition be considered a sort of overview of what is possible in this genre?
The exhibition consists of two parts. In the second part, the self-portraits of 30 artists will also be exhibited. By placing the two parts (Selfies Part I and Selfies Part II) next to each other, Beuys's idea is emphasised even more. As with still lifes, landscapes and portraits, the possibilities of the self-portrait theme are endless. This is evident throughout art history and will be evident once again in this exhibition.
In my opinion, every theme, including the selfie, can be the subject of a work of art. Inferiority is not an issue here. What we do with the exhibition is undermine the ease and transience of the selfie. We encourage visitors to observe themselves carefully in the mirror and then put this image on paper. By making them actively participate, which initially causes some discomfort and doubt, their own personality comes to the fore.
The show has been running for a few weeks now. Have any trends emerged in the visitors’ drawn self-portraits?
We have been surprised by the enthusiasm with which the exhibition has been received and the results, but also by what this creative process does to the visitor-drawers. Many can't wait to pick up their own work after the exhibition ends. It’s quite a different story with the often dozens of selfies we have on our smartphones.
What are you currently working on?
Right now, I’m working on a solo exhibition that will take place this summer in Finland during a literary festival. I was invited to a performance there in the 1980s. Now, almost 40 years later, I have been invited to show an overview of my work. Although I enjoy my solitude, I also like opening the doors of my studio to a larger audience once a year. So, I’m now also preparing for the upcoming open day, which will take place during the first weekend in June.