SEPTEMBER
2021
RENSKE LINDERS
ARTIST OF THE MONTH SEPTEMBER IS AMSTERDAM-BASED RENSKE LINDERS,
AN EXCITING LOCAL TALENT ON THE RISE.
RENSKE'S STYLE IS FOCUSED ON AND RESOLVES AROUND THE BEAUTY OF THE HUMAN BODY - IN PARTICULAR THE FEMALE AESTHETIC.
RENSKE IS A FASHION MODEL HERSELF, WHICH HAS GIVEN HER AN INTERESTING PERSPECTIVE ON THE SUBJECT - AS WELL AS AN INCREASED APPRECIATION TOWARDS BOTH THE INTRINSIC AND EXTERNAL NATURE OF THE CONCEPT OF BEAUTY AND ALL OF ITS DIFFERENT FACETS.
How old were you when you started drawing/painting and what got you into pursuing this professionally?
I've always been creative and I've been into arts & crafts from a young age. I started painting several years ago, worked on some projects and had a small exhibition in Cape Town in 2019. I feel like I started taking painting more seriously last year when the outbreak of COVID-19 came around. A few months after the first wave, I decided to look for a studio where I could work freely without being scared to spill paint everywhere. When I found my current workspace, @atelierrenske was born.
How would you describe your style?
I find it difficult to describe my style by putting it into words. As an artist, I think my work is evolving to something new each time I paint. Making art is like an evolution of paintings created in the past. I am still looking to find my signature. Even if I do find it, it might change again in five years. It would be boring if it stays the same forever. But I do think I could describe the works exposed now at Form Over Function to an abstract and minimalist style. I would hope that the work comes across as elegant, pure, but also powerful and joyful.
Besides being an artist, you're also a model - would you say this has influenced your work, creatively?
Absolutely, especially for this collection. In general, models represent a certain beauty ideal. This beauty ideal is desired by clients, agencies, society, and whatever other individuals other than the model itself. In a way, models are the product of themselves. As a model, I am regularly confronted with my physique and how it fits in beauty ideals or not. I rarely know models that do not get insecure about the industry even though the outside world might expect them to be super confident. It can be a bit challenging but I chose to be in this industry. Due to the modelling, I noticed that I got inspired by the female body and I wondered what female beauty is about. I had to paint the female body in different ways to explore what my representation of female beauty is.
Can you tell us something about the art you're exhibiting at FORM?
The work I am exhibiting shows my search for beauty in a woman. All paintings represent women. The different paintings express different scenarios of how women can feel. Some paintings express power, some lean more towards intimacy, joy, sensuality, or elegancy. Other paintings express little, so it is up to the viewer to decide what they recognise in the painting. Throughout the painting process, I wondered what makes women feel beautiful and how I relate to it, while taking into consideration my work as a model (representing a certain beauty ideal). The evolution of these paintings, in combination with modelling, taught me that female beauty is not connected to any affirmation of beauty that we can receive as a model. It comes from feeling good in your skin, which does not come from anything external. I find beauty in a woman's strength and confidence to be in line with who they are and what they believe in. For that reason, I believe FORM and the paintings match well together. For me, FORM is a unique and inspiring place, which gives students the opportunity to feel strong and confident in their own body by giving diverse and dynamic classes with care and love.
What material/equipment do you use to create your paintings?
All paintings are made on canvas with acrylic and mixed media.
What are some of your favourite artists?
It sounds cliché but Picasso is my painting hero. He is the master of improvisation and his work is unique. I find his life interesting and I see the humour in his work. I could recommend everybody to watch 'le Mystere de Picasso', which is an impressive short film of Picasso at work showing his talent. Besides Picasso, I also love the work of Paul Klee, Georgia O'Keeffe, Amedeo Modigliani, Kazimir Malevich, and many more.
What are some of your favourite museums?
My favourite museum in the world is Musée d'Orsay in Paris. Their permanent collection exists of masterpieces from impressionists and post-impressionists. They also have 'La Naissance de Venus' by Alexandre Cabanel. It is a very classic painting I could watch it forever because of its beauty and expertise by the artist. Other than that, I love Stedelijk in Amsterdam of course.
Where can people see and/or purchase your art?
People can see and/or purchase my work through my Instagram @atelierrenske or my website www.atelierrenske.com or at the
FORM Studio of course!
Do you have new projects or collections coming up that you want people to know about?
Lately, I am still working a lot on female figures in my work. However, they are not naked anymore haha. I am more inspired now by combining the female figure with everyday life utilities and activities.
YOU CAN ENJOY RENSKES'S ART IN OUR STUDIO DURING ALL OF SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HER WORK, VISIT WWW.ATELIERRENSKE.COM OR CHECK OUT HER INSTAGRAM PAGE @atelierrenske